Growth

What is the core value of growth?  Is it just the rejection of stagnation? An accumulation of assets, or attributes, much like an investment account?

One thing I do believe is that, in order to grow as a person, man, leader, one needs to know in what direction he is growing.  A man doesn't wake up one day with wisdom; He spends his life searching, working, and putting forth effort to get just one more piece of the puzzle.  He doesn't just decide one day that he will have self-discipline, and never waiver in his commitment; This comes from training, and dedication to something more than momentary comfort, or pleasure.

Growth starts with an honest assessment of myself. Key word, honest.  Where am I right now? What do I do well? What can I improve on? Why do I get the results that I continually get? Most importantly (but most generally), Why do I do what I do?

This honest assessment is what has lead to the making of this Five Core Values list.  These are values that I hold right now, but they will probably change in the future, as I grow, and learn more about myself. 

Where am I? and Where am I going?

Growth is the second of my five core values, but is more of standard by which I hold my other values.

Fishing

We expect to catch some fish out on the Mighty river.  I think we won't have any problems surviving, considering our skill.  Check out this video.  It gets a bit technical, but you'll get the picture.

Imagination

Imagination might be my most childish value, but it is worthwhile none the less.

Without imagination; cars, medicine, events, ideas, and even the way we communicate with each other would be drastically different.

The fact that something can fabricate itself in your mind, and with enough effort, work, and thinking; it can become a tangible and interactive part of the physical realm we exist in.

I'm not sure where ideas come from, however I do believe that all ideas are a conglomeration of simpler ideas which have been pieced together in a certain way.

For instance, science enables us to make two similar devices with completely different functions. Each device runs off of electricity and each is readily available in most homes today. By altering the electric current in just a certain way, we are able to enact two entirely different outcomes through these devices.

One is a heater, the other an air conditioner. With the exact same input (electricity) these systems are able to change the environmental conditions in space they are placed, but both in completely different ways.

The mind and imagination both empower us to reach great heights within our tangible and physical world, as well as to fully explore the 'ether' and what it holds for us.

Don't ever lose your imagination, it is the freest part of your brain.

'The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination."

-Albert Einstein

The Challenge

The idea of coming headlong into a situation and not being sure if you have what it takes, but trying anyway... and prevailing.

All of my real world learning is done for these times.  The do or die times. Or at least it feels that way.  Just meeting expectations is not my style; I strive to see things in a different way, do things that others believe can not be done.  I am a fool for the challange.

Admittedly, this can hold me back sometimes from starting the not so glamorous tasks of the everyday. Doing those hundred little steps, which I've done before, and take no skill, are what lead to my favorite moments of challenge. Yet, in the moment, I don't see it. (See Core value #5 - Descipline) 

The thing is, once I start, even a task as mundane as washing the dishes, I work with an eye to the future.  I think for the times when this is really going to count.  Every aspect is up for grabs.

Why, you ask? For the make or break time.  I think, work, play, discuss, debate for the time when I must narrow all my senses onto one task, and recall any/every detail, in order to triumph.

Traffic is thick, but we are still driving at or above the speed limit.  Chatting about the vacation from which we are now on our way home, I reach down to fiddle with the radio.
"Luke!!"
 I first sense the panic in her voice. Senses narrow. Time slows. I look at Emily. She is pointing ahead, no more words forthcoming, and no time for them.  An eight by twelve plywood board is headed straight for our windshied, blown from the back of the pick-up in front of us. The Challenge. I see it all so clearly, and what I must do...

Rising to the Challenge is the third of my five core values.

Adventure: A Life Mission

Adventure is my favorite Core Value.

I have always had an inner child, fascinated by simple thrills.

Whether it is cliff jumping, kayaking, hiking, longboarding, or skiing. Any activity where the outcome and path is unknown, ready for you to choose it.

I enjoy seeking from the unknown. Not having a plan, a path, or a sense of urgency; that is one of my favorite feelings in this world. But what makes us different than a rolling stone or a bag in the wind?

The freedom to choose what we do, where we do it, and who we do it with. The ability to design our own adventures, and plan out every step or none of them at all. The desire to find out about this world, and all of the things in it.

Whether we are exploring science, space, new ideas, nature, our minds, or even ourselves. Adventure and exploration are the driving forces behind advancement, discovery, and basic entertainment.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all"

-Helen Keller

Your Own Worst Enemy

At times, I am my own worst enemy.

Indeed, this statement rings true for everyone in this world.

Whether it was procrastinating in college, spending money I didn't have, experimenting with recreational drugs, or not reaching out to others when the time was right; I have certainly caused myself much harm in the past.

However, with the right attitude, some honest personal reflection, and a willingness to be better tomorrow than you were today, mastery of self-discipline can begin.

Another of my 5 Core Values is Self-Discipline.

Everyday you can make your life better or worse than the day before. It is true in all aspects of life; be it your health, your relationships, your wealth, or any other facet. You alone hold the power to make the changes necessary to improve your life.

Just remember nothing happens over night. Today, if you were to start following the old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," surely one apple in one day would not change your health drastically overnight. Even if you changed this saying to, "A snickers a day keeps the doctor away," even one snickers bar wouldn't change your health too much either.

If you were to follow one of those sayings for an entire year, what would the outcome be? Who do you think would be healthier? Who would keep the doctor away the longest?

These are just examples, but they can be paralleled in all areas of our lives.

"In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves...self-discipline with all of them came first."

-Harry S. Truman

Exploration

Leaves are covering the ground, hiding many opportunities for a twisted ankle.  Of to the right and down , the White River winds along beside us. Peaceful. Our muted footsteps on the trail, and my own breathe, play percussion to the symphony of God's creation that unfolds in front of us.  We run, Emily behind, and Jane at heal, drinking in the beauty.  I see the beauty, not as a painting in a museum for me to stare at, but as a call to action, a call to really understand and know this playground that has been given to me right at this moment.  Up hills, down ravines, I jump over branches, swing from limbs, not content to be a passive observer. Vaulting creeks, a "parkour!" yelled aloud. This trail, in this woods, near this river, is being explored. 
"Its ok to walk around some of them," she says.
 "I want to jump every fallen tree in this woods," I respond.

Exploration is the fourth of my five core values.

Balance

Finding balance in life is a constant struggle for everyone.

Sometimes we become so engrossed in our current state of affairs that we lose track of what life is really about. When was the last time you took a deep breath, closed your eyes, and just tried to feel every atom in yourself?

Balance is one of my 5 Core Values, and it is something I strive for everyday. Finding that constantly moving happy medium takes effort, thought, and perseverance. It requires keen observation and a realistic view of how your life is taking shape.

The ability to be self-critical will enable you to have a truer sense of your reality. It will allow you to see where the majority of your time is invested and where it could be used more wisely.

Without work, we would not be able to play. However, there is no point in working to acquire wealth while at the same time sacrificing health, family, relationships, or self. Once in your hands, if you can't spend that money WHEN you want, WHERE you want, and with WHOM you want, your quest was entirely fruitless.

"The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man."

- - Euripides

Discipline

Anything worth doing is worth doing all the way.

Some times I get so wrapped up in the big picture that when I immerse myself in the details, I give up.  I feel as though I must know what I am working toward to be able to pursue it.  If I dont have this "vision" at the front of my my mind, the small tasks and details feel like rowing with one paddle;  lots of energy spent going no where.

I am starting to realize, though that this mentality is a cop out.  Or at least it is not working for me.  If everything has to be clearly laid out before I begin exerting, most times I will never start.

Discipline for me, then, is following through on an agreement (with myself or others) even though I dont have a clear picture of the outcome. 

Discipline is the fifth of my five core values.

Focus

"The man who actually knows what he wants in life has already gone a long way toward attaining it."

-Napoleon Hill

As we take steps to bring this idea to fruition, a realization sets in.

This trip is completely possible in the real world; however it exists now as nothing more than neurological impulses which reside somewhere in my brain.

In order to make this trip happen, Luke and I need to define exactly what we want the trip to entail. We can't take steps toward a goal if we don't know what that goal is.

This week I will be focusing the vision for Canoe to the Future.

Stay tuned!!

-Craig

Dust Off

It's been a while since we updated.

- - -

No excuses. This was not a top priority over the past few months.

My plate feels heavier and the enormity of the event we are trying to put on is more deeply realized. Alas, this iceberg of tasks needs to be chipped at; slowly and constantly.

My focus for the project is now beginning to shift. Originally, we wanted to hold this event to raise money for charity. While that cause is noble in itself; the 'movement' we are trying to create could be lost in the 'Our goal is to raise this much' train of thought.

While that will still be a big focus of the adventure, the true reward will be passing the constant tests Luke and I will endure while we overcome miles and miles of monstrous river.

Our will, our confidence, our bravery, our physical capabilities, and our friendship will all be up for grabs, constantly pushed to their limits.

This experience will be unique in itself. I will be spending every hour with Luke while on the river. This will be the most consecutive time I have ever spent with another human, ever.

While I have lived with Luke for a few semesters in college, nothing will come close to the time we spend on the River. I'm excited to see how this trip will affect my lifestyle, philosophy, and personal relationship with LT.

Currently my 5 Core Values are: Balance, Self-Discipline, Adventure, Imagination, and Progress.

I try to incorporate these into every aspect of my life. These can constantly change, and should based upon what stage you are in your life.

Stay tuned...

-Craig