Stay on Offense Climb Mountains

Attacking Adversity

Bookish Weapon Number Twenty-Three

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So far on this site, I have not looked at a novel and I said I was going to see if, at least sometimes I can tie the hiking post to the book post. Plus, this one is a lot of fun. The novel is called “Undisclosed,” by Steven Alten. Is this book a weapon? Well, if imagination is power, then maybe it is.

Although this is a novel, I get the distinct impression that Alten believes all of it. It is a tail about UFOs, zero energy, and evil people.

The Big Secret

There has to be a big secret government or private UFO research facility for all this to work. After all, we all know about Area 51 and all the little green folks living there. So this book doesn’t disappoint with its “Subterranean Complex” located in the midwest. This place has everything, fast transportation within the facility using hoverboards, different “levels” of security, laboratories, and of course the UFOs.

Smaller Secrets

One thing I didn’t expect but was happy to read about was that along with alien help they were able to figure to how to regrow body parts as lizards do. Now that may be a smaller secret, but I think it is even better. The thing is this group is not sharing this capability with the outer world. Anti-aging has come a long way, but this would certainly be the icing on the cake.

Another smaller secret was the ability to “drive” a UFO just by using our mind. I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust my mind that well. Still, the idea sounds like fun.

Then a bad one. A cream that you can rub on someone’s arm and then 24 hours later they self combust. Nasty!

Zero Energy

Now, this is what the bad guys are trying to keep the world from discovering, so I guess it is really the biggest secret. No more carbon emissions, no more waiting at the gas pumps. It solves all kinds of problems. No more poverty, hunger or disease.

Well, I certainly hope some of these problems get solved through new technology no matter where it comes from.

Go Hiking And Climb To Nankoweap

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Apparently, you can access this area via roads, but when I climbed to it, I did it from the Colorado River. It is a decent hike, especially in hot weather. Unlike here in the Northwest, it gets really hot.

It is a historic spot that challenges you in a couple of different ways, but as you can see from the picture I took, the view is worth it.

Narrow Path to Caves

If you are afraid of heights this might be one you want to leave to others. The path becomes very narrow as you approach the caves. Even I had to sit down for a minute to compose myself.

The caves (actually graineries) were made by the Paiute many years ago. It is hard to imagine them working at that height, in those conditions. We are so pampered in today’s society. Those people had to work to stay alive.

Best Way To Get There

When I went, I used Colorado River and Trail and floated from Lake Powell to Lake Mead taking twelve days. There was lots of hiking and I will talk about some of those other hikes in the future. The Toroweap hike was one of the best.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to hire Colorado River and Trail to take you, you will not be disappointed. They use very big boats with motors so although you are shooting Class V rapids, you don’t tip over. In my opinion that is a bonus. You do get very wet and the boat does rise to probably 30-degree angles at times. Lava Falls is the biggest rapid.

And in addition to keeping you alive, this company also cooks for you and provides a portable outhouse for your convenience.

So hire somebody to take you down the canyon. This is not just a white water trip. Go hiking!

Bookish Weapon Number Twenty-Two

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William Irvine’s book, “The Stoic Challenge,” is a little different than some of the other popular books about this philosophy. It is, indeed, a challenge!

His book begins with what to most of us, would be a frustrating time at the airport. One delay after another when we need to catch a flight and we start to steam inside. Not Bill Irvine. He accepts it as a challenge to his ability to use his philosophy, stay engaged and improve his resilience.

Setbacks

I don’t think I have read any other book that uses the word “setback” more often. There is a chapter devoted to it. Actually more than one. He describes all the different ways we can experience a setback, the psychology of setbacks and how to use Stoic philosophy to confront them. The Stoics’ goal says Irvine, “was not to remain calm while suffering a setback but rather to experience a setback without thereby suffering.”

In his chapter on the psychology of setbacks, Irvine gets busy discussing anchoring and framing as they relate to Stoic philosophy.

Anchoring

This kind of anchoring is not like what you experience in Neuro-linguistic Programing, where you heighten the subject’s emotion and attach an “anchor.” Irvine explains it as a retailer selling shirts for $50 but then having sales of 20% off. This anchors the “regular price” at $50 in the shopper’s mind.

When it comes to the Stoics, “they would periodically make a point of imagining ways their lives could be worse…By thinking about how things could be worse, they effectively sank an anchor into their subconscious minds. The presence of the anchor affected how they subsequently felt about their current situation.”

Framing

Epictetus said, “what upsets people is not things themselves but their judgment about the things.” So there are six frames that Irvine outlines for us and that we can use daily.

First, there is the “Competing Obligation Frame.” You think someone didn’t give you something you thought you should get because they are nasty, but with this frame, you can step back and say to yourself that they may have had a competing obligation which prevented them from giving you what you wanted.

Second, the “Incompetence Frame,” Someone does something and you at first think it is out of malice, but with this frame, you realize they are just incompetent.

Third, the Storytelling Frame,” allows you to “write your behavior” by focusing on how the setback could turn out well in the long run.

Fourth, the Comedic Frame, is when you use humor to offset the setback. Simple and it works.

Fifth, the Game Frame, is where you think about your setback as just a part of a game. Sometimes an elaborate game I suppose.

Sixth, the Stoic Test Frame, is seeing every setback as a test by the Stoic “Gods” of your ability to stay calm and find a workaround.

Toughness Training

This is when we go out of our way to make our circumstances take a turn for the worst so we can expand our comfort zone.

This subject is one I found particularly interesting since in a minor way climbing a mountain I have not climbed before or even one I have during difficult situations is a form of toughness training. However, the author uses climbing Everest as an example which is way out of my comfort zone.

He says your comfort zone has two dimensions. One is physical and the other emotional. You work on the emotional by facing your fears. Then in the physical dimension you face physical discomfort. Is he talking about cold showers? Maybe. He talks about how he forces himself to go out in cold weather with no coat. I think cold showers are worse or rather best. Take that cold shower every day!

The whole idea is to “expand your comfort zone so you will feel comfortable in a wider range of circumstances.”

Death

My favorite subject! Maybe it is because of my age. I think death and I are becoming friends or at least death is a casual acquaintance these days. The Stoics say you should contemplate your death. Irvine says, “…pause in your daily routine to reflect that no matter what you are doing, there is a chance that the is the last time you will ever do it.”

One visualization I liked was what he calls, “prospective retrospection.” This is when you reflect on the fact that at some point in the future you will look back at this very moment and wish you were there. Think about it. You have lived a long time and now you can’t drive, hike, or maybe even walk very well. You will look back and wish for the past. So do it now so you appreciate the present more.

Bookish Weapon Number Twenty-One

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Is everything in life “Figureoutable?” Is that even a word? Well, Marie Forleo in her bilk by that name says so. The exact title is “Everything is Figureoutable.” One of the clubs that Brendon Burchard clubs you with time after time is the importance of believing that you can “figure it out,” whatever it is. If you believe that then there isn’t much that will stop you.

Everything is Figureoutable

Yes, I know I just said that, but Marie tells us that we need to repeat it over and over again until it becomes a part of who we are as people.

What it really comes down to says Marie, is that our beliefs tend to stick so make “everything is figureoutble” a belief! As Marie says, “The most powerful words in the universe are the words lousy to yourself.” Tony Robbins would add that if these words are said with emotion they are even more powerful.

Excuses

I like her take on excuses. “If it’s important enough, I’ll make the time. If not, I’ll make an excuse.”

One excuse that Marie discusses is “I don’t have the money.” Well, I don’t! She is having none of it. First, she says you might not need the money, because there are lots of free resources out there. For instance, you can get a world-class education online and she gives you that information as well as a much longer list of resources for raising money. Then she points out that if you really do need more money and can’t get it elsewhere, get another job. I liked the one.

Fear, Dreams, Goals

This book discusses all of these topics in detail. She discusses fear as any self-respecting “self-help” author does, and how we shouldn’t let it stop us. Use it as fuel!

Goals – choose one and write it down. There is much more to this, but that is the basic idea.

Dreams are those things that you desire and desire is, after all etymologically “of God.” You are special. The world needs what you bring to the table. Consider what Fred Rogers says, “If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never dream of.” Marie says, “uncovering, developing, and sharing your gifts—-that’s the whole reason you’re here on earth. I believe that is the whole reason any of us are here. To create and contribute to one another.” Hey, that is why I write about these ideas from books.

Go Hiking And Climb Granite Mountain

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Go Hiking and Climb Granite Mountain, Bandera and Bear Mountain

These three mountains are ones that I climb infrequently so I thought I would lump them together.

Granite Mountain

If you like being in the sun Granite mountain delivers. Most of it is out of the woods so it can get pretty hot in the summer. Bring a lot of water.

It is not a particularly difficult climb, but there are a good number of rocks. I broke both of my trekking poles coming down this mountain a few years ago because they got caught in some rocks.

There are a couple of significant avalanche shoots so take care to stay away in the winter. It is called unnecessary risk.

Lookout

Like all mountains, getting to the top of Granite is the goal. On top of Granite is a lookout. It is not as nice as the one on Pilchuck, but you can sit and look at the view which includes the freeway.

I suppose Granite mountain is not my favorite climb. Maybe it is because it took my trekking poles. All mountains are unpredictable. Still, all the mountains are worth climbing at least once. It is actually a very popular hike and is close by off of I-90.

It has been a while since I climbed it. Maybe I should reconsider, forgive the mountain and give it another shot.

Bandera

The two outstanding things about Bandera are how steep it is and how short it is. It is supposed to be 8 miles round trip. Maybe. It does get steep but has a nice view of a lake at the top. It is right off of I-90 so once again a mountain that is close.

Bear Mountain

Confession, I only climbed this mountain twice, years ago. Like Granite mountain, there is a considerable amount of the trail exposed to the sun. I also remember lots of mosquitoes. But don’t stay away just because I do. Check it out yourself! Go hiking!

Bookish Weapon Number Twenty

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From now on I am going to see if I can tie my hiking post in with the book I am discussing. So this time I picked, “Claim Your Power, by Mastin Kip. It is a powerful book. There is no doubt about that. I got a lot out of it. Do I agree with everything in the book? No.

It is, as the subtitle says, “A 40 day journey to dissolve the hidden blocks that keep you stuck and finally thrive in your life’s unique purpose.” Here are some of the best ideas.

Finding Your Purpose

This was one of the best parts of the book. Kipp has you pay attention to your heart and then he says to remember when you were a child and ask the following question. “What is the earliest, happiest memory I can remember? Then accept the first memory that comes to mind. Then write it down and ask yourself the following: “Who was in the memory? What did I believe about life in that moment?” Then think a bit about that. Then ask what the next happiest memory followed by the same questions just mentioned. Then you repeat the entire process again and again and again. With the last one he has you list a most recent happy memory with the same followup questions.

Next you write down each of the five memories again. Then you go through a process of finding the emotions behind each memory. Then he drills down to your two “primary emotions.” You need to get the book!

Finally he has you fill in the blank for this statement: “I was born to_____myself and my Higher Power, and feel the ______that results while inspiring others to feel the same.”

How about that! Pretty powerful I think. I have done similar exercises where you go back to your childhood and I think they are very good at getting to who you are at your core.

This book is full of exercises to help you.

Your Soul’s Mission

Another section in the book takes you through the process of discovering your mission. It is very good. It s about how your purpose driven goals align with your Soul’s mission and discovering your special gift. He says it is what comes easy to you and I ask, what if nothing come easy to me? But that is another story. I liked some of the questions such as, “How can I turn my goals into a mission greater than myself?

If you, like me, say that nothing comes easy to you, one of the things you might consider which is not discussed in this book is a “talent stack.” It is a stack of skills that you might not find easy but you are pretty good at. If you want to know more about this stack check out the creator of Dilbert, Scott Adams. That is how he became successful.