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Consider what a human being could become if he/she were to endeavor to realize
there full potential. I think very few of us even begin to explore our innner depths
even though that is where the most beautiful treasures are hidden.
Each of us is a beautiful and rather intricate pattern. When we actively weave our
lives we can create ourselves to be the wonderful masterpieces already inside of us.
Like statues from a hunk of cold granite.
Every moment of life not spent learning or improving in some way detracts from the
time we can invest in ourselves.
But why bother? We're dead anyway!
The process itself, the journey, is a metaphysical phenomenon which yields
epiphanies so pure and poignant that it sends waves of joy across every fiber of our
being. It makes us truly lucid and aware. It makes us honest.
How? Sounds difficult...
Obviously, difficult is a subjective quality. As with most challenges the hardest part is
beginning.
Once we start, however, the snowball gains momentum.
So... How?
Well, I don't suppose to really know. This is my current best guess and is a reflection
of what I have learned from others far wiser than myself. I would like to eventually
write a bunch about all of the following premises:
1. Hobbies. Lots of time spent on improving yourself in challenging hobbies. Watch
your mind grow...
2. Truth. Always question yourself. Seek out untruths and learn from them. They're
there to help you grow.
3. Health. Your body IS your temple, no matter your faith (see Truth.) The body
follows the minds generally. Look around!
4. Create. Through some modality; nevermind "talent," that is merely a starting
point... Music, art, writing...
5. Love. Everyone no matter what. Period. It's really a manifestation of the love you
have for yourself, and man is it hard sometimes!
NEW THOUGHTS ON CLIMBING: "movement is everthing." How many times have you
heard this or some variation of it? "strength is everything." Could climbing truly be
broken down to one thing comprising the pith of it all? "Timing is everything." All
these aspects of climbing, while crucial, does not a master make. "balance is
everything." Perhaps. Perhaps not in the cerebellar sense but maybe in the "division
of labor" sense.
How to climb harder:
1) Train success: do problems that will go for you in (arbitrarily) three to fifteen goes.
This trains strength and technique and balance et cetra in an environment where
success is the endpoint. That means if it takes you three weeks of hard work to send
that V10 great, but you could have been learning alot more (and getting stronger) by
doing 10 different V5-V7s a night. Soon it'll be ten V8s a night. It feels better to send.
MORE SEND = MORE HAPPY = BETTER TRAINING. You know it's true...
2)Vary your problems: Wow, Jorge can crimp V12 but falls off V7 slopers! Don't be
Jorge; balance is key. Do problems with lock-off, throws, tension, etc. on both sides. If
you suck at slopers (you big guys) try only open hand (everything) for 1 month. I
guarantee you'll add a grade to your climbing. Vary angles, vary committment, vary
your variance. BALANCE + HARD WORK = IMPROVEMENT. Try it and see...
3) TECH TIPS: You can always push a little harder with your feet. Your toes need to be
stronger. If you're not screaming, you're not trying your hardest. If you want to send it
too badly, you probably won't (you'll distract yourself). Moving your hips an inch is
huge. Any one of us can climb as hard as we want, it just depends on how much we're
willing to sacrifice to that end. Therefore, try to be happy with your climbing now (see
above equations). If you want to climb really hard climb with people weaker and
stronger than you are. (it's kinda like hangin' out with both younger and older cats... It
keeps you in touch; it keeps you real). If you are getting frustrated, ask yourself why.
If it's because you can't do the problem, chill out, you suck and everyone knows it. Do
something easier. We all have our own style, discover yours and master it (every
other month that you're not working your weaknesses.) Once you master it (You'll
know) move on to complementary styles (slopers and tension; open crimp and
throws; crimps and sick pulling; footwork and hipwork)
4) Go to gyms were no one knows you and campus everything without saying a word,
this is good for confidence and puts things into perspective...
5) Master stupid human tricks like (but not limited to): slackline, quarters (ask me for
beta on this jedi game), the foot game (turn shit on and off, open/close shit, kick shit,
jump from various akward positions to other various akward positions, guys - pick up
chicks (this must be mastered), girls - pick up guys...
6) It's your potential, you uncover it. It's a big job and only you can do it. It's really hard
and you'll grow in everyway if you perservere.
7) IT'S MORE WORTHWHILE THAN ANYTHING ELSE*
(8)*(except maybe love)
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