Purslane |
A Purslane portrait - a beautiful goat |
Since climbing is considered a high risk activity (or so say the insurance companies), I sometimes contemplate the possibility of a sudden or unexpected death. Personally, I think driving a car is more dangerous than climbing, because we take driving for granted. When I go climbing I am hyper-aware of my surroundings and once I leave the ground pay close attention to details which might make the difference between a fun, memorable outing and an epic. We all take risks. The trick is to reduce the inherent risk in these activities we pursue. And accepting some level of risk is essential to living. If we do not live our lives doing the things we love and being with the people who make us happy, then what is the point, really?
A legend of climbing also passed away recently. While I did not really know anything about Jack Roberts, the climbing community is incredibly compassionate when a member is lost. It sounds as if Jack died exactly what he loved doing - climbing - and he died a happy man. See A Tribute to Jack Roberts for more details.
So live well - live long - and live as much as possible loving what you do. Live your life fully. Minimize the risks you take whenever you can, but don't stop taking risk, or you won't be living fully. Live big - I know Purslane did.Follow @jeanclimbs