Elevated.. finally......

"The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking"

The Climb - Miley Cyrus

Brace yourselves.. this is going to be a lengthy one.

Last Monday I left behind my worldly tasks and belongings to 'make love with nature'. ( sorry.. silly joke )

Elevation was our camp focus with each day broke into separate themed portions as to keep us reaching toward something within ourselves. 

Monday being Focus, Tuesday Confidence, Wednesday Leadership?.. and so on and so forth.. 

I'll let my daily journal do the rest of the telling.

Morning- April 27th- "My back is chilled against the cool morning air, as my lap sits cozy and warm beneath a quilt covered in leaves and dirt. I sit watching. I sit observing.

Everyone sitting in a circle, pondering over their journals; anxious in their own wonders of what today will bring them on our journey to confidence."

"Confidence is found through a journey James says; And the writing begins; pens scratching hopes, fears and ambitions against sun kissed parchment. "

  Later, April 27th-  "The birds still chirp as the warm sun beckons to our outdoor adventures behind a cloud layered sky; calling us to keep playing. Time has been lost to us as the day echos on, but I'm guessing it's sometime in the early afternoon."

"Today I watched Payden fight for his confidence at what really became a one sided battle as he wisked it from wherever it hid, justly becoming what was rightfully his.

Lead climbing a 5.11 wall for the first time, he confidently shouted at one point "It's going to be hard. But I can do it. I know I can."

"I watched levi climb a 5.11 wall as though he'd done it time and time again, and when he fell nearly 12 feet, finding himself trusting the rope and his balay more than he may have hoped; you better believe he jumped right back on that horse and climbed until he reached the top."

 

 

April 28th -"Brundan is rocking climbing blindfolded, trusting Collin as his balay and Greenman as his eyes.

I walk in on the scene just as Brundan has removed the blindfold and praises are being sung by every team member, already retelling the story of how fast he climbed despite the blinding circumstances."

 

 

 "Three people pat Greenman on the back, enthusiastically praising his detailed and guided directions, with which 3 times I hear Greenman humbly say:

"No, it was the teams suggestions." 

Or

"No, it wasnt just me, the team did it."

 "The group who I can't even bring myself to call "Kids" after seeing their hearts this week, never cease to amaze me- left standing in awe- taking mental notes on how to improve myself, masking after their examples. 

 

"The courage of Lehi, the boldness of Sadie, the encouraging nature of Tyrel or the sweet innocence of Sarah. 

Spencer's Charisma, respect in Payden, fun in Collin, or humor and humility in Greenman. The preparedness of Andy Mack, friendship of Stephanie and endearing smile of Jake.

I could name all 34 or so of them to a different definition as i have found each one of them to be solely unique and unforgettable."

 Later, April 28th - Yesterday I watched Scott, who was so afraid to rock climb, be the balay for someone which is probably, unbeknownest to him, a much greater feat than the climb, as he is found personally in charge of the climbers life- being relied upon to keep a life, living. 

Shout Hoorah Scott! Because you achieved confidence and broke through fear."

 

At the begining of Camp, The class Mentor, James, asked us what Elevation meant to us.. well- I took 5 days and wrote down something new each time someone's actions or words pushed me to a new understanding.

This is what I came up with.. 

Elevevation:...

It's rising above something you once believed was above you.

It's reaching higher and standing taller.

It's one more step, when you thought you would give up.

 

It's about asking questions through introspection and giving answers that create a new and better you. 

 

It's about that fear that may breifly paralyze us, but doesnt hold us back. The times we fall and leave defeat wondering how we succeded. 

 

 

It's abouting fighting past the "I cant's"  "I wont's" and the "Im not good enough's"

It's about finally mustering the courage to believe in a you, you didn't know you were.

It's about becoming a leader and leading through belief, an unfaltering faith, hard work, deeds, moral virtue, persistence, love, respect and fighting against prejudice.

 

 

Elevation:

It's caring enough to elevate another. It's the "Act" of courage; in bringing another along for the ride.

 It's about doing something hard because we can.. because what would we do if we believed we couldn't do it?

 It's the climb that takes us to a better life. 

It's the life we reach through the benifits we found during the climb.

 

 

You are one among many, who will leave an impact upon many. 

Don't let yourselves forget the lessons you learned this powerful week. 

It truly is each one of you who has created a change in me... 

I wish I could express my gratitude to you all in a manner that would give it justice.. but while I figure that out- Thank you will have to suffice. 

 

 

 

 Elevation.... "the event of something being raised upward"

I hope I was able to inspire just one of you over the week, paying forward what you have done for me.

I love you all. 

:)