If you are my friend on Facebook you have probably caught how each of these adventures went. They were difficult and amazing. I will remember them forever.
Before leaving for my Uintas Highline trip I had every intention of telling you all about it as soon as I got back. I wanted to share how awesome it was and I actually had a lot of the post drafted in my head based on my expectations for the trip and the parallels backpacking has with simplicity.
That all changed as my parents decided not to join us on the first day of hiking so they wouldn't get stuck in the mud from the incoming storm on the drive out (good call Dad). It all changed as my brothers and I hiked through unseasonal rain, snow, and slop we were not prepared for (I was wearing my trail running shoes). It all changed when I realized that my homemade dehydrated meals didn't want to re-hydrate. It all changed when I didn't get to pull out my ultra light fishing gear once because we spent so much time seeking shelter. It all changed as I watched my older brother (one of my real heroes) forge ahead the last few days even though each step was agony to his wounded leg. It all changed when we realized our trip would be cut short and a group of new friends invited us to join them down the frozen mountain.
It was an amazing adventure. Better than I had could possibly imagine it would be.
I didn't know how to write about this experience. I thought about it for weeks but didn't know what to say that would do it justice.
As the date of my trail run got closer and closer my thoughts shifted to the run and my training. Was I ready? How would I do? How would the weather be? I had memorized the course on my training runs and knew where I needed to take it easy and where I could open up. It was going to be great!
I started doing the same thing I had done before the Uintas trip. Mentally drafting a blog post based on my expectations for this run. I've learned so much about myself this past year during my training runs and saw so many parallels with the life I want to live. I knew just what to share.
That all changed as I arrived at the starting line and got chills at the sight of how many people were there on the same quest for insanity I was. It all changed as I became frustrated to not be able to run at my own pace for the first several miles as we ran single file. It all changed as I watched people trip over roots and rocks, fall on their faces and get back up again. It all changed 16 miles in as I felt my own body shutting down just before the biggest climb of the course. It all changed as I talked with 2 soldiers who ran the entire 27 miles (Yes, I found out the course was a bit longer than expected) carrying an American flag in honor of fallen friends. And it all changed when I rounded the final turn and saw my beautiful wife and 3 incredible kids cheering me on.
I had planned something funny to do as I crossed the finish line but that changed as I was able to cross with my daughter and son.
It was an amazing run and finish. Better than I could possibly imagine it would be.
Neither adventure met my goals and expectations. We didn't hike 80 miles and I didn't make sub 5 hour on the run. But I wasn't disappointed. I had so many incredible experiences that I could not have prepared for.
I started this blog because I felt I had something important to share. I wanted to reach as many people I could hoping my words might inspire a few to make positive changes in their lives. Because of that goal of reaching a large audience I held back on the original premise of my writing. I edited my writing to appeal more to a larger audience.
I was wrong in doing this. I am sorry.
My personal experience has been a very spiritual one. I feel my family and I have been guided on the trail to a more simple life. Things have happened that I can not explain. We have been blessed in so many ways as our new life has unfolded. Often in ways we never could have planned on our own.
We have basically handed our life over to a bigger plan. For some this may seem contrary to the idea of Burning the Script. I feel it fits seamlessly. While we are actively engaged in the pursuit of a more simple and fulfilling life we are trying every day to become more open and in tune to receive direction and inspiration.
Regardless of belief or background we all have some type of relationship with the spiritual. It may be a deity, or the universe, or something that exists within yourself. Whatever that may be each of us at particular moments in life feels guided and directed to do certain things and live a certain way.
I myself am Christian. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (Yes, The Mormons) I believe in a God who loves me as his son and wants me to grow up to be like him. I believe that I have an older brother named Jesus who looks out for me like big brothers do. They want me to live an awesome life. They want my family and I to achieve and experience the best this life has to offer. I know that a key to unlocking this potential is simplicity.
This guiding force is what I have been editing out of my writing. It's why my posts have been sporadic. It's why some of my writing has felt fake to me. It's why some posts have remained unpublished. It's why you haven't gotten the full story. I plan on editing parts of posts I have already published. (I'll make edits in a different color so you can easily see what I held back and let you know when changes are made).
As I bring in this element of spirituality I hope to create a very open, non-denominational community. My goal isn't for this to simply become a "Mormon Simplicity Blog". I will refer to text from all sources that inspire me. Because of my own beliefs and background most of this will probably come from what I am familiar with. I invite you share from sources that inspire you personally in comments and guest posts.
I also plan to stop linking to my posts on my personal facebook page. Only on the blogger site and the Burning the Script facebook page. If you haven't already joined that page please do and invite others to join as well.
From now on I promise not to hold back. I will share each experience and bit of awesomeness for what it really is. I realize that this may be a turnoff for some of you which is unfortunate. But I have to be true to myself and what I am experiencing. I have also realized that what I am trying to share is a lot bigger than I will ever be and that I need help. I know that making this adjustment will allow this blog to be what it should be. Better than I could possibly imagine it would be.
Thanks again.
Brandon
