Wednesday, November 03, 2010

The Dude Abides

Do what you love. Love what you do.

This is the mantra of climber Sonnie Trotter’s web site. Because of this attitude I make it a stop whenever I’m trying to catch up on news in the sport. Trotter is one of the better climbers in the world but that’s not why I’m a fan. Instead I’m there to remind myself what’s really important in life, which is whatever we happen to be doing right this minute, and Sonnie’s site exudes that.

Sometimes, especially when work is hectic, I get sucked into the “big picture” world of accomplishment. And while goals and objectives are vital for motivation they are ultimately just tools. If used wrong they will create distraction from your daily life. And if your daily life sucks than your life sucks. Period. Sometimes I need a reminder, especially when things aren’t going as planned.

A successful life is one in which meaning is found in day to day existence. There is no way to know when it will end so you’d better find a reason to enjoy today, no matter what’s on the agenda. I’ve read and heard many stories of people who have survived gruesome situations, such as long stints in concentration or refugee camps, and most of them echo the same sentiment. The key to surviving is to find meaning and love in your daily life, no matter how bad it may seem. And if that’s the key to survival when life gets tough, I try and keep it in mind when it’s not so hard.

“If all you cared about was success climbing would be the worst sport you could do,” said my friend Jeff yesterday as we greased off our projects. True enough, it was hard to lament “failure” on a gorgeous afternoon in a mountains hanging out on a ledge with a billion-dollar view in the warm November sun. Climbing is a sadistic sport for the ego. Dale Goddard once said, “Sometimes you go a whole season, or whole year, without climbing anything (meaning goals).” But that’s also the beauty of climbing; on its worst days you’re getting exercise out in nature. Who cares about ego when you’ve got stoke?!



October didn’t turn out as planned. I trained essentially the entire year for this peak period of climbing and then life happened and I hardly got outside. We had a family tragedy and work decided—for the first time in a decade (fitness is a New Year’s game)—to get super busy in the fall. We’re still dealing with the old man at the end of his days and, in order to help him get through his loss, we rescued a couple of maniacs. So while life may be a series of strikes and gutters, all I can say is The Dude Abides.



As a man much wiser than myself once put it, “I guess that’s the way the whole darn human comedy keeps perpetuatin’ itself. Down through the generations. Westward with the wagons. Across the sands of time until we…. Ah, look at me. I’m ramblin’ again. Well, I hope you folks enjoyed yourselves. Catch ya later on down the trail.”



pics: trotter: work may not pay much but you can't beat the surroundings. the big man and his new version of stoke. two maniacs to ensure adequate aerobic fitness this winter.

21 comments:

Walter said...

Say what you will about the tennants of national socialism, at least it's an ethos.

El Duderino said...

Tenets, dude, tenets. They don't live there, it's what they believe in. Jesus Christ, doesn't anyone believe in the rules anymore?

Donny said...

What's wrong with Walter, Dude?

Bunny Lebowski said...

Brandt can't watch though. Or he has to pay a hundred.

The Dude said...

It's like Lenin said, "You look for the person that will benefit and, um, you know..."

Anonymous said...

I am the Walrus?

-Donny

Josh said...

Ok. Wait, who's the second new maniac?

-Josh

Josh said...

So, read this again . . . haven't done shit all week. Had a great week last week. Not doing what I love or loving what I'm doing this week.

And, due to a combination of factors, the largest being work and the fact that I'm off to China again next week, instead of taking off in the middle of the day and running around in the hills with the varmints, I went and had a 3 martini lunch. Now I'm sitting at my desk thoroughly bored and slightly drunk, and completely unproductive.

man, I shoulda stayed on the bus.

Maybe I'll sleep it off and then head out after dark, looking for life.

-Josh

Anonymous said...

I may live badly, but at least I don't have to work to do it.

Anonymous said...

The next person who passes us will be dead within a fortnight.

Anonymous said...

You know me. Keeping up on my JFK assassination theories.

Walter said...

I did not watch my buddies die face down in the muck so that some guy can go out and complain about a 3 martini lunch.

Anonymous said...

what are you people blathering about?

Brandt said...

Well, Dude, we just don't know.

Icon Girl said...

You know what's in here? It's a Madonna Pap Smear!

Anonymous said...

You've got a strong back. Get a job.

Steve said...

I have a VAN.

Jerry Gregory said...

In reading this, I'm reminded of why we are hear. I wanted to "climb" the ladder at work for many years. Recently realizing that I was missing out on what I really truly enjoy...what I do now. I'm a personal trainer helping people. I find success everyday that I work with people. Everyday is a different journey. Live it well!!!

Jerry Gregory said...

Do what you love, love what you do. That will get you through each and everyday.

Davey McCoy said...

Because I dig it, man. The wind blowin through your hair. The mountains. The beauty. Everything. It's, like, Nirvana.

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