I admit it. I am heartbroken and stunned by the results of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Many deep and valid reasons form the basis for these feelings, but there is no need to elaborate here. What is necessary is this: How do I choose to exist in this moment?
Upon reflection, I realize the my answer does not differ with the political party in charge. What differs now is the intensity of its importance and the conviction with which I live it.
Andrew Bisharat, climber and writer, tweeted an op-ed article that the Dali Lama wrote for the New York Times titled “Behind Our Anxiety, the Fear of Being Unneeded.” The wisdom of the article is that we, as humans, need to feel useful. In the Dali Lama’s words “Being ‘needed’ does not entail selfish pride or unhealthy attachment to the worldly esteem of others. Rather, it consists of a natural human hunger to serve our fellow men and women.”
This concept connects closely with the human need to be part of a community where we feel supported, included, accepted unconditionally, and can creatively express ourselves. Through our own individual talents, desires, and uniqueness, we can contribute – i.e. give back – to the community, for the greater good. In this approach lies joy and reward.
I choose not to focus outwardly on how a vision might be philosophically shattered by the results of this election. Rather, I choose to focus inward, exploring how I live, embody, and express my deepest beliefs in a way that honors who I am, thereby honoring others around me.
Here is what I choose:
Such actions are not new to me – I have done these things by being a co-organizer of local rock climbing Meet-up groups, creating the website CommonClimber.com (a writing and photographic outlet intended for all climbers, encouraging people to proudly crush whatever they can), and discouraging the use of disparaging words like “newbs” and “gumbies” when talking about other climbers or propagating divisive distinctions between boulderers, trad climbers, and sport climbers. The actions I am taking now are not not different than the past couple years, but the intensity of their importance and my conviction for them will increase.
Why does it matter? Because we need it, I need it, more than ever. I choose to step beyond the downward spiral and, instead, step into the realm of humanity. We need each other. We are a community. As rock climbers we are a natural community.
It is no exaggeration to say rock climbing helped keep me on this earth through some very, very difficult times. If I can uplift, support, inspire, embrace just one person in our community, then a important gift has been exchanged.
This is not about the nation or the world on an intangible political scale, it is about our local community, nation, and world on a human-to-human-to-human scale. Giving a shit. Caring. Including. Supporting.
Go send that 5.fun climb. Go send that project – be it a 5.9 or 5.15. Go be yourself in all your beauty and uniqueness. Share it. Celebrate it. Take pride in. We have each other’s back! Belay on!
Upon reflection, I realize the my answer does not differ with the political party in charge. What differs now is the intensity of its importance and the conviction with which I live it.
Andrew Bisharat, climber and writer, tweeted an op-ed article that the Dali Lama wrote for the New York Times titled “Behind Our Anxiety, the Fear of Being Unneeded.” The wisdom of the article is that we, as humans, need to feel useful. In the Dali Lama’s words “Being ‘needed’ does not entail selfish pride or unhealthy attachment to the worldly esteem of others. Rather, it consists of a natural human hunger to serve our fellow men and women.”
This concept connects closely with the human need to be part of a community where we feel supported, included, accepted unconditionally, and can creatively express ourselves. Through our own individual talents, desires, and uniqueness, we can contribute – i.e. give back – to the community, for the greater good. In this approach lies joy and reward.
I choose not to focus outwardly on how a vision might be philosophically shattered by the results of this election. Rather, I choose to focus inward, exploring how I live, embody, and express my deepest beliefs in a way that honors who I am, thereby honoring others around me.
Here is what I choose:
- First, I choose my passion - climbing. Climbing is the basis of my physical, emotional, spiritual, and creative outlet. It not only connects me to the incredible beauty of our earth’s landscape, it connects me with myself and other humans who find joy in the endeavor. Although I am not a particularly strong or talented climber, I am a climber nonetheless. As climbers, we are a community.
- Next, I choose my core belief in inclusivity. That means supporting and welcoming ALL climbers into the fold, independent of color, sex, sexuality, religious or political orientation, or what grade you can climb.
- Third, I choose compassion. We are all hurting in some way. Be it from the sting of the election, the sting that compelled people to elect Trump, the sting of our individual pasts, or the sting of present ailments and injustices. If I talk to my neighbor or fellow climber, without knowing for whom they voted, I can more easily recognize they too are in this daily, human struggle, simply trying to find joy and contentment. Every one of us needs a connection to compassion (even those who avoid or fight it).
- Lastly, I choose resolve. The act of climbing teaches us resolve, which is comprised of determination and finding solutions. I choose to extend my resolve by actively pursing the above within the context of my passion. This is done by choosing to engage with, support, and mentor local climbers in a positive, inclusive, compassionate, and safe manner, as well as, expressing myself creatively through the act of climbing and writing about it.
Such actions are not new to me – I have done these things by being a co-organizer of local rock climbing Meet-up groups, creating the website CommonClimber.com (a writing and photographic outlet intended for all climbers, encouraging people to proudly crush whatever they can), and discouraging the use of disparaging words like “newbs” and “gumbies” when talking about other climbers or propagating divisive distinctions between boulderers, trad climbers, and sport climbers. The actions I am taking now are not not different than the past couple years, but the intensity of their importance and my conviction for them will increase.
Why does it matter? Because we need it, I need it, more than ever. I choose to step beyond the downward spiral and, instead, step into the realm of humanity. We need each other. We are a community. As rock climbers we are a natural community.
It is no exaggeration to say rock climbing helped keep me on this earth through some very, very difficult times. If I can uplift, support, inspire, embrace just one person in our community, then a important gift has been exchanged.
This is not about the nation or the world on an intangible political scale, it is about our local community, nation, and world on a human-to-human-to-human scale. Giving a shit. Caring. Including. Supporting.
Go send that 5.fun climb. Go send that project – be it a 5.9 or 5.15. Go be yourself in all your beauty and uniqueness. Share it. Celebrate it. Take pride in. We have each other’s back! Belay on!
References/Resources:
Andrew Bisharat's websites:
Andrew Bisharat's websites:
- Evening Sends: http://eveningsends.com/
- Website: http://andrewbisharat.com/