Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition, if we could only realize it. Nothing ever sums itself up in the way that we like to dream about. The off-center, in-between state is an ideal situation, a situation in which we don’t get caught and we can open our hearts and minds beyond limit. It’s a very tender, nonaggressive, open-ended state of affairs. To stay with that shakiness – to stay with a broken heart, with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge – that is the path of true awakening. Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic – this is the spiritual path”

-Pema Chodron

My friend shared this quote and I love it.

This time of year is hard. Our friend Brad Peterson died at Brundage Mountain eight years ago this coming weekend. NARSID (Non-Avalanche Related Snow Immersion Death) Feelings from that time tend to resurface and well up more acutely than the rest of the year.  It also happens to be the weekend of Nate’s birthday.  Nathan, Jared’s younger brother, passed away suddenly last February. We all live with a broken heart, a rumbling stomach, and the feeling of hopelessness from time to time.  I’ll stick with the uncertainty.

I’ve been imaging life somewhere else but I also take comfort in the familiar place I am. 

Life lately…xo