Thursday, October 30, 2014
Packing Party Part 2 - Checking In
I started the packing party bright and early this morning and have been able to make some good progress. Still a lot of work to do. Yes, I am wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Packing Party Part 1 - Packing Day Eve - Current State or The Disaster
I thought I would kick off this weeks festivities with a look at the current state of my attic office.
At first I thought about cleaning things up a little bit and making the place presentable for the video but that doesn't tell the actual story. I plan on doing all my videos unscripted and unforgiving. I didn't even watch this one before I uploaded it.
Enter at your own risk!
At first I thought about cleaning things up a little bit and making the place presentable for the video but that doesn't tell the actual story. I plan on doing all my videos unscripted and unforgiving. I didn't even watch this one before I uploaded it.
Its a long video but I wanted to give you a good idea how much junk I have up in this one small room. Which is crazy because I have already done so much purging.
So tomorrow is the day. See you then!
Monday, October 27, 2014
It's Time to Party! - Grab the Boxes.
After watching Ryan's video I have come across several other people who have done packing parties of their own. Each has their own variations but the idea is simple and effective.
Here are the basics of the Packing Party.
1- Box everything up as if you were moving. Be quick but systematic. Group like items and label boxes so you can find things. When you get to the off season items keep them together. No "moving day panic packing". If you identify things that you know right away you can do without get rid of them! Sell, donate, gift, trash. No reason to keep them in the mix.
2- Throw sheets over larger items like furniture that you absolutely know you will be using.
3- Clear it all out and start with a clean slate. Take some time to observe and appreciate the space.
4- As you determine that you need or really, really want an item go get it and find a home for it.
5- As you retrieve items refrain from grabbing other things by default just because you see them. Wait until you specifically need them.
6- Continue going through this process and you will find yourself opening up boxes less and less often. When you feel you have reached that point mark the calendar and live in your new space for a pre-determined length of time (3 weeks - 2 months, whatever feels right to you).
7- Now that you've had this time to settle in and enjoy the new found freedom from excess it's time to open up the boxes. Hopefully your perspective on life and possessions will have changed a bit by now and you can look at each item in a truly subjective way to determine if you really want it in your life.
8- Take a look at your before pictures and video and reflect on how things have changed. Think about how different areas of your life have improved by making this change. Commit yourself to maintaining this new found awesomeness.
So why haven't I already done this?
I've been on this path to simplicity for a few years now and have been through several cycles of purging and uncluttering. I've seen the difference in my life each time I have eliminated a box of baggage and felt more free to move forward to the present and future.
The biggest thing holding me back to this point has been fear. Fear of drastic change. Fear of letting go of or dealing with some things. But the biggest fear.... seeing my true self emerge for the first time In years without all the excess.
I'm really looking forward to this change and know it will be a very positive thing for myself and my family. But my fear is because I don't know that person anymore. The last time I remember truly feeling like myself was 10 years ago while doing missionary service in Spain. Everything I owned fit into 2 bags and I loved it.
Why now?
I've thought about throwing a Packing Party a few times in the past but never had the level of motivation / frustration to actually make it happen. This past month or so has been a very humbling time for me. Dealing with the loss of my Grandpa has been rough. I've been a wreck. I have been extremely on edge and irritable and I've said harsh words to my wife and children. Last week I realized a critical oversight I had made on one of my home design projects.... 3 months ago! This has led to several days of toxic self talk running through my head. I'm a fake, I'm worthless. I'm not a good person...
I'm not one for excuses. I'm pretty good at owning up to my mistakes and doing whatever is necessary to fix the problem. But this person I've been, this monster I've given into for the past several years, is not me. So who do I blame? Who is the culprit?
CLUTTER!
Yes I know, I've been the master builder of my mountain of madness so I'm not completely passing the buck here. But to an extent I've just been following The Script. Accumulating the things I'm "supposed to have". Combine that with my inherent absent mindedness and chronic disorganization and you get a ticking time bomb.
This experience has been more than enough incentive to take it to the next level and give myself a fighting chance. I'm excited, overwhelmed, scared, and optimistic all in one.
Packing Party
Thursday, October 30th 6:00 AM
You're Invited!
No, I'm not asking or suggesting that you wake up early to come help my box up my junk. I'm inviting / challenging you to have your own Packing Party. Do a room, a single drawer, or your whole house. Whatever works for you. Try it out!
This Thursday I'm going to wake up early and get started. Clothing, office supplies, photos and other things on the wall are all getting boxed up. I know it is going to take a while and I have to get some work done so I'll do a couple more hours that afternoon and finish up Halloween morning. My goal is to have the space completely cleared out for when I start the day on November 1st.
I plan on posting a video and probably some photos of before I get started so you can see my current space. I'll do more over the next several weeks as my space takes shape.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Broken Zipper Memories
Each step I have taken towards simplifying my life I have noticed myself really enjoying what I decide to hold on to.
I love fall weather and the fall season in general. It brings back so many amazing memories both recent and distant. I love the crisp air and changing colors. It's what I call jacket weather. This past week the temperature has been dropping right along with the leaves. Time to put away the summer clothes and pull out the colder weather clothing.
There's one item I didn't have to pull out.
It is probably my favorite piece of clothing and has been a 4 season favorite since I found it on a clearance rack probably 8 years ago. It fits perfect and is just the right thickness to keep me warm but not sweaty.
I have developed a kind of existential relationship with this simple jacket. Even more so the past few years as I have focused more on simplicity and living a meaningful life.
Date nights with my beautiful wife, camping trips, helping my brothers do renovation work on their homes, raking leaves with my kids... So many great memories live in this jacket.
My jacket is slowly beginning to die. The zipper pull broke this past spring and the elbows are wearing thin. It is still very comfortable, and still serves its purpose, but probably not for much longer.
I know the memories aren't really a part of the jacket and won't fade when its gone. After all its just a jacket. But it is nice to have things that hold special significance.
I love fall weather and the fall season in general. It brings back so many amazing memories both recent and distant. I love the crisp air and changing colors. It's what I call jacket weather. This past week the temperature has been dropping right along with the leaves. Time to put away the summer clothes and pull out the colder weather clothing.
There's one item I didn't have to pull out.
My grey hooded jacket.
It is probably my favorite piece of clothing and has been a 4 season favorite since I found it on a clearance rack probably 8 years ago. It fits perfect and is just the right thickness to keep me warm but not sweaty.
I have developed a kind of existential relationship with this simple jacket. Even more so the past few years as I have focused more on simplicity and living a meaningful life.
Date nights with my beautiful wife, camping trips, helping my brothers do renovation work on their homes, raking leaves with my kids... So many great memories live in this jacket.
My jacket is slowly beginning to die. The zipper pull broke this past spring and the elbows are wearing thin. It is still very comfortable, and still serves its purpose, but probably not for much longer.
I know the memories aren't really a part of the jacket and won't fade when its gone. After all its just a jacket. But it is nice to have things that hold special significance.
What hold special significance for you?
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Grandpa - The Man Who Flew and Knew
Every other Sunday we make the 1 hour drive from Heber City to South Jordan to visit family.
Sunday visits have been a tradition for us since we were married almost 9 years ago. It's great to spend time with parents and siblings and for our kids to be able to run around with their cousins.
We stopped at Ali's parents house first and had some great corn chowder and garden fresh veggies (I love harvest season food). Then on to my parents house for our nieces birthday party.
We had just finished singing Happy Birthday when my mom answered a phone call. She listened for a few seconds trying to hear over the party noise and walked into the back room. A moment later the party went silent as we heard cries of sadness and pain from the other room.
Instantly my heart sank, my throat turned to concrete, and tears filled my eyes. No words were needed, I knew exactly what had happened. My dad took over on the phone speaking in calm tones that I couldn't quite decipher.
After a couple minutes that seemed like an hour my parents came back into the room. My dad composed himself and told us all that my Grandpa Sugden, my mom's dad, had passed away. Emotion filled the room as hugs and tears were shared.
My parents had to leave quickly to go meet the police at my grandparents house. The siblings, spouses and all our kids did the best we could to finish up the party and clean up the house so my parents wouldn't have to worry about the mess when they returned.
As we made our way home I started to think about my Grandpa and all the memories I have of him.
Grandpa was a pilot. He loved to fly. He also loved to build model airplanes. We visited my grandparents a lot when I was growing up and I spent countless hours down in Grandpa's basement watching him build planes and screwing up a few of my own. I wish I had a picture to share because that basement is an amazing place. Hundreds of planes, large and small hung from the walls and from the ceiling like stalactites. The ultimate Man Cave! Some had gas engines, most were powered by rubber bands but they all flew. What's the point of an airplane that doesn't fly?
Grandpa taught me the physics of flight. Why wings are shaped the way they are. Why weight distribution and wing trim were so important. He taught me how impatience ruins everything.
My grandpa taught me a lot about a lot of things. The thing he taught me that has had the greatest life changing impact was that a persons intelligence and education can not be measured by their level of schooling or by how many fancy letters they get to put behind their name. There are a lot of idiots with college degrees.
He was one of the smartest people I have had the privilege of knowing. In addition to being a pilot he was an inventor, a machinist, a mechanic, a welder...... If he wanted to do something he would teach himself how. He would either read, watch something, or just figure the damned thing out on his own.
Grandpa had a High School Diploma.
The funeral was scheduled for that Thursday. My brother Adam was asked to speak at the memorial service on behalf of all the grandkids. He my siblings, cousins and I to share with him some of my best memories of grandpa that he could use when he spoke. My mind had already been working on this for a few days and I had a lot to share.
At the service several people spoke. My grandpas grandson, younger brother, and a life long friend were a few of those who paid awesome tribute to his life. While each had a different relationship and had different memories and shared different stories of this amazing man's life there was a very powerful and consistent theme to all the words shared.
I struggled in school big time. All the way from elementary school and through high school and college. Somehow I always managed to pull off good grades and even ended up on the honor roll a few times. I learned the concepts. I did the work and I passed. but it was HELL!
For me (and so many others who are wired a bit different) classroom education is agonizing. It is slow and tedious and inefficient. In contrast I loved classes where I could get up and move around. to be actively engaged physically and mentally. P.E., pottery, print shop, and art classes were amazing. on a couple occasions I was so into my woodshop projects that I only realized that I had worked through the bell and an entirely different class period when the lights when off and I was asked to leave the shop.
I enrolled in college immediately after high school. The first couple semesters were amazing. I was taking classes that inspired me and allowed me to use and develop skill sets that were important and applicable to things I was actually interested in. I impulsively enrolled in nonsense classes that had nothing to do with my degree but I found interesting. I was soaring and had almost perfect grades.
I had been focusing on and enrolling in only the program specific courses in my architectural degree. and some expensive "play time". The next required classes had something called "prerequisites"
My next semester I had nothing but general courses like math, a strange civics course, and some class about how to get along with co-workers and say the right things to your boss.
Over the next 11 years - 2 years of missionary service = 9 painful years I struggled through 2 classes per semester night school (where the instructors really don't want to be there and finish class early half the time). I bombed classes where I knew and understood the material I just couldn't get into it.
OK... Brandon is crazy! Where is he going with this and what does it have to do with his Grandpa?
In 2011 It dawned on me that I didn't HAVE TO do this. I realized that I just plain didn't care to finish. I didn't need or even want that magic piece of paper that said I was smart. I knew I was and that I was learning way more on my own and from life and having an amazing time doing it.
I though of Grandpa as I made the deliberate decision to drop all my classes mid semester just a few credits shy of finally finishing. Yeah, it was frustrating and I was mad at myself for investing so much time and $ in something and not see it through. I felt free and empowered to focus my energy on things that mattered. To spend more time with my family and pursue my passions.
I am not knocking education in any form. It is a vital part of our society. There are so many avenues to receive knowledge expand our possibilities. It is maddening that so much of our society views an academic degree as the only valid measure of a persons intelligence.
In my past life as an employee I was a part of several interviewing panels where we met with dozens of applicants to fill different positions. I remember sitting down to talk with so many amazingly talented, innovative, experienced, qualified, and interesting people were turned down based on their "lack of education". Complete bonehead psychos ended up getting hired because their resumes looked good.
I am so grateful that more and more people, businesses, and organizations are recognizing there is more to a persons intelligence and capacity than letters attached to their name or an overpriced piece of paper .
I think we stand a chance.
Thank you Grandpa for teaching me the value of education. For being an amazing example of what is possible when we question everything and learn for ourselves. Thank you for Burning the Script!
I love you and will miss you until we meet again.
Sunday visits have been a tradition for us since we were married almost 9 years ago. It's great to spend time with parents and siblings and for our kids to be able to run around with their cousins.
We stopped at Ali's parents house first and had some great corn chowder and garden fresh veggies (I love harvest season food). Then on to my parents house for our nieces birthday party.
We had just finished singing Happy Birthday when my mom answered a phone call. She listened for a few seconds trying to hear over the party noise and walked into the back room. A moment later the party went silent as we heard cries of sadness and pain from the other room.
Instantly my heart sank, my throat turned to concrete, and tears filled my eyes. No words were needed, I knew exactly what had happened. My dad took over on the phone speaking in calm tones that I couldn't quite decipher.
After a couple minutes that seemed like an hour my parents came back into the room. My dad composed himself and told us all that my Grandpa Sugden, my mom's dad, had passed away. Emotion filled the room as hugs and tears were shared.
My parents had to leave quickly to go meet the police at my grandparents house. The siblings, spouses and all our kids did the best we could to finish up the party and clean up the house so my parents wouldn't have to worry about the mess when they returned.
As we made our way home I started to think about my Grandpa and all the memories I have of him.
Robert David Sugden
Grandpa was a pilot. He loved to fly. He also loved to build model airplanes. We visited my grandparents a lot when I was growing up and I spent countless hours down in Grandpa's basement watching him build planes and screwing up a few of my own. I wish I had a picture to share because that basement is an amazing place. Hundreds of planes, large and small hung from the walls and from the ceiling like stalactites. The ultimate Man Cave! Some had gas engines, most were powered by rubber bands but they all flew. What's the point of an airplane that doesn't fly?
Grandpa taught me the physics of flight. Why wings are shaped the way they are. Why weight distribution and wing trim were so important. He taught me how impatience ruins everything.
My grandpa taught me a lot about a lot of things. The thing he taught me that has had the greatest life changing impact was that a persons intelligence and education can not be measured by their level of schooling or by how many fancy letters they get to put behind their name. There are a lot of idiots with college degrees.
He was one of the smartest people I have had the privilege of knowing. In addition to being a pilot he was an inventor, a machinist, a mechanic, a welder...... If he wanted to do something he would teach himself how. He would either read, watch something, or just figure the damned thing out on his own.
Grandpa had a High School Diploma.
The funeral was scheduled for that Thursday. My brother Adam was asked to speak at the memorial service on behalf of all the grandkids. He my siblings, cousins and I to share with him some of my best memories of grandpa that he could use when he spoke. My mind had already been working on this for a few days and I had a lot to share.
At the service several people spoke. My grandpas grandson, younger brother, and a life long friend were a few of those who paid awesome tribute to his life. While each had a different relationship and had different memories and shared different stories of this amazing man's life there was a very powerful and consistent theme to all the words shared.
Grandpa loved to fly, he loved to build things, and he loved to learn.
I was amazed yet not at all surprised that so many people had learned the same valuable lesson from my grandpa. If you want to do something do it. If you don't know how, TEACH YOURSELF!
I struggled in school big time. All the way from elementary school and through high school and college. Somehow I always managed to pull off good grades and even ended up on the honor roll a few times. I learned the concepts. I did the work and I passed. but it was HELL!
For me (and so many others who are wired a bit different) classroom education is agonizing. It is slow and tedious and inefficient. In contrast I loved classes where I could get up and move around. to be actively engaged physically and mentally. P.E., pottery, print shop, and art classes were amazing. on a couple occasions I was so into my woodshop projects that I only realized that I had worked through the bell and an entirely different class period when the lights when off and I was asked to leave the shop.
I enrolled in college immediately after high school. The first couple semesters were amazing. I was taking classes that inspired me and allowed me to use and develop skill sets that were important and applicable to things I was actually interested in. I impulsively enrolled in nonsense classes that had nothing to do with my degree but I found interesting. I was soaring and had almost perfect grades.
Then it hit me.
I had been focusing on and enrolling in only the program specific courses in my architectural degree. and some expensive "play time". The next required classes had something called "prerequisites"
???
My next semester I had nothing but general courses like math, a strange civics course, and some class about how to get along with co-workers and say the right things to your boss.
Initiate self destruct sequence in 5...4...3...2...1...
Over the next 11 years - 2 years of missionary service = 9 painful years I struggled through 2 classes per semester night school (where the instructors really don't want to be there and finish class early half the time). I bombed classes where I knew and understood the material I just couldn't get into it.
OK... Brandon is crazy! Where is he going with this and what does it have to do with his Grandpa?
In 2011 It dawned on me that I didn't HAVE TO do this. I realized that I just plain didn't care to finish. I didn't need or even want that magic piece of paper that said I was smart. I knew I was and that I was learning way more on my own and from life and having an amazing time doing it.
I though of Grandpa as I made the deliberate decision to drop all my classes mid semester just a few credits shy of finally finishing. Yeah, it was frustrating and I was mad at myself for investing so much time and $ in something and not see it through. I felt free and empowered to focus my energy on things that mattered. To spend more time with my family and pursue my passions.
I am not knocking education in any form. It is a vital part of our society. There are so many avenues to receive knowledge expand our possibilities. It is maddening that so much of our society views an academic degree as the only valid measure of a persons intelligence.
In my past life as an employee I was a part of several interviewing panels where we met with dozens of applicants to fill different positions. I remember sitting down to talk with so many amazingly talented, innovative, experienced, qualified, and interesting people were turned down based on their "lack of education". Complete bonehead psychos ended up getting hired because their resumes looked good.
I am so grateful that more and more people, businesses, and organizations are recognizing there is more to a persons intelligence and capacity than letters attached to their name or an overpriced piece of paper .
I think we stand a chance.
Thank you Grandpa for teaching me the value of education. For being an amazing example of what is possible when we question everything and learn for ourselves. Thank you for Burning the Script!
I love you and will miss you until we meet again.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Lessons from the Trail(s) - Foolish Expectations
I'm long overdue on my adventure report. Please don't fail me.
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
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
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Why So Serious? You Need Adventure!
I'm alive.
No, I haven't quit writing this blog. I've actually been thinking a lot about it.
Since my last entry I have completed 2 new posts but in each case I decided not to hit publish. It's not that I wasn't excited about the topics or that I didn't like how they had turned out. Both are written about things I am very passionate about and I put a lot of thought into drafting, reviewing, and revising posts that would do them justice. I'm not a "real" writer, but they are REAL.
The timing wasn't right.
After my 5 part Right Sizing post my writing started to deviate from the goal of sharing my own experiences on the path to simplicity. I saw my focus shifting to a few of the big frustrations I have with society.
Have I had time to write something different? Of course, there's always time. I have been focused this past month on preparing for 2 adventures that I've been looking forward to for a very long time. 2 adventures with very strong roots in the simplicity I hope to share here.
My first adventure begins tomorrow morning. I will drive for 4 hours with my parents and 2 of my brothers to the trailhead of the Uinta's Highline Trail. Dad and Mom will join us for the sendoff party. They will hike the first 10 miles or so camp over night then leave with the car keys in the morning. Over the next 8 days we will travel with the sun for 80 miles. We will pass by hundreds of beautiful lakes, climb the highest elevation in the state of Utah, and eventually make it to the getaway car near Mirror Lake.
I have never been on a backpacking trip longer than 3 days, 2 nights. I haven't had to worry too much yet about the weight of each item I am going to take, packing enough food but not too much, and being mentally prepared for this lengthy an expedition. I've never done anything like it really. I've learned a lot about myself just in preparing. I'm excited to see what the journey brings.
The second adventure will take place on Saturday, September 13th. I will be running the Mid Mountain Marathon in Park City. My first trail marathon.
Last year I ran the Herriman Oquirrh Mountain Trail Half Marathon. Looking back on it the course was horrible (a small single track section, mostly dirt and gravel roads, and a few miles of pavement at the end) but I loved it.
This run will be so much better.
I have been training on the trails close to home at Dutch Hollow and Wasatch Mountain State Park. My longer runs have been in Park City. I've run the entire race course in segments and covered a big portion of the rest of the mountain. I really struggled twice on 17 mile runs and felt defeated. I ditched some bad advice about nutrition and training and felt much better during and after my 20 mile run this past Saturday.
A few years ago I never would have imagined myself doing things like this. It's not that I wouldn't want to do these things. I didn't have the right motivation. I guess my motivation was there all the time I was just blind to it. It's amazing how stripping away life's excess allows you to see life for what it really is, see others as they are, and see yourself in new ways every day.
I'm always doing things I can't do, that's how I get to do them.
Pablo Picasso
No, I haven't quit writing this blog. I've actually been thinking a lot about it.
Since my last entry I have completed 2 new posts but in each case I decided not to hit publish. It's not that I wasn't excited about the topics or that I didn't like how they had turned out. Both are written about things I am very passionate about and I put a lot of thought into drafting, reviewing, and revising posts that would do them justice. I'm not a "real" writer, but they are REAL.
The timing wasn't right.
After my 5 part Right Sizing post my writing started to deviate from the goal of sharing my own experiences on the path to simplicity. I saw my focus shifting to a few of the big frustrations I have with society.
Have I had time to write something different? Of course, there's always time. I have been focused this past month on preparing for 2 adventures that I've been looking forward to for a very long time. 2 adventures with very strong roots in the simplicity I hope to share here.
My first adventure begins tomorrow morning. I will drive for 4 hours with my parents and 2 of my brothers to the trailhead of the Uinta's Highline Trail. Dad and Mom will join us for the sendoff party. They will hike the first 10 miles or so camp over night then leave with the car keys in the morning. Over the next 8 days we will travel with the sun for 80 miles. We will pass by hundreds of beautiful lakes, climb the highest elevation in the state of Utah, and eventually make it to the getaway car near Mirror Lake.
I have never been on a backpacking trip longer than 3 days, 2 nights. I haven't had to worry too much yet about the weight of each item I am going to take, packing enough food but not too much, and being mentally prepared for this lengthy an expedition. I've never done anything like it really. I've learned a lot about myself just in preparing. I'm excited to see what the journey brings.
The second adventure will take place on Saturday, September 13th. I will be running the Mid Mountain Marathon in Park City. My first trail marathon.
Last year I ran the Herriman Oquirrh Mountain Trail Half Marathon. Looking back on it the course was horrible (a small single track section, mostly dirt and gravel roads, and a few miles of pavement at the end) but I loved it.
This run will be so much better.
I have been training on the trails close to home at Dutch Hollow and Wasatch Mountain State Park. My longer runs have been in Park City. I've run the entire race course in segments and covered a big portion of the rest of the mountain. I really struggled twice on 17 mile runs and felt defeated. I ditched some bad advice about nutrition and training and felt much better during and after my 20 mile run this past Saturday.
A few years ago I never would have imagined myself doing things like this. It's not that I wouldn't want to do these things. I didn't have the right motivation. I guess my motivation was there all the time I was just blind to it. It's amazing how stripping away life's excess allows you to see life for what it really is, see others as they are, and see yourself in new ways every day.
I'm always doing things I can't do, that's how I get to do them.
Pablo Picasso
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