By Chris Stevenson
So my editor comes up to me a week or two ago at church after an amazing sermon from our pastor on destiny and has an epiphany; let's do our next edition on what we think our destinies are, or the destiny of some one we know. Well, never to back down from a challenge, I accept. Even though, I had no idea at the time what my destiny was, I was sure I'd give it some thought and come up with the best destiny ever, except for the fact that these past two weeks I've been sick (again), moved out of the folks place (still not completely moved out), and totally forgot about the article. I know, I know, how dare I forget to write to you guys. Well, I'm sorry, alright!
I don't know how many of you guys out there actually have put major thought into what your destiny is or could be. I know up until now, I never thought about it. Which makes this even more of a challenge. So, to help out with this, I'm going to implement climbing metaphors. Another great idea from my ingenious editor (can't take 100% credit for something I didn't think of). Well, onto my destiny, or what I think it is going to be, or what it should be.....who knows, except God of course.
Starting holds: We'll begin at where one begins, the beginning. Kind of like grabbing the first hold or holds of a problem, you first grasp onto what you want to do with your life. At the current place and time of my life, I just found my two starting holds. I found a job I absolutely love to do, and have also cut myself free from my parent's grasp (not really a grasp, but you know what I mean). Some people (such as my grandparents) don't agree with a Christian working at a winery, but they are also the same people who told me to find what I love to do, and do it. Now, I have. So, my advice is to do what you love, within certain boundaries and rules. (Mostly found within that book we all read, the Bible.)
Climbing the problem: At this stage of my life, I want be growing in knowledge of what I am doing, work-wise and life-wise. I want to be the best at my job, and reflect this in my life. I still plan on climbing for the rest of my life, so if I don't mention it, you know I'm still climbing hard. You should join me. I also hope to be married someday soon, and have kids....eventually. I hope I will be working up to Master Eonologist (winemaker), with a steady job at the same winery where I am currently employed. This stage is the challenging stage, because I haven't topped off the problem yet, and I'm still climbing and figuring out which sequences work best, exactly like life. If I happen to flail off a hold, and fall, I'm not giving up on life, I'm going to get up, grab the starting holds again(they might be new ones), and try the problem again and again if I have to.
Locking Off: Meaning grabbing a big hold on long sustained problems or routes, and taking a quick rest while holding on. I'm pretty sure I will have to do this in life. Sometimes you have to take a break, but you can't just give up and fall. In life, this may amount to a vacation or something. Nothing major, just a quick break to regain some amount of strength before the final heave.
Topping Off: This term is used in bouldering in which most problems require you to get on the boulder's top. So, this stage describes what I want my destiny to be, the place where I am topping off the problem, the place I hope God is sending me ultimately, I hope, is retiring from my job as a Master Eonologist, married to a beautiful woman (still looking for her, however), have a few kids and maybe some grand kids, and still climbing strong. And I want to be more in love with God and on fire for him than ever before. That is, unless he comes before I can top off. Which I don't think I'd mind too much. Then again, there is a lot of stuff I would love to do before he comes. Either way, life is good, no matter what happens when you're still climbing the problem.
Remember to climb hard everyday, and never give up. If you are having thoughts of falling off the problem, let somebody know. Let me know. No matter how tired and pumped you are, you just need to lock off and take a break. Climb hard, my friends, and climb strong! |
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