Nietzsche was (is) so controversial, yet this quote seems pretty straight-forward. He may have been a genius and had a subtle interpretation of philosophy…or maybe he was just crazy. But he had an appreciation of a metaphor and irony—today I can really relate to that. Let’s hope he’s right about this one…

“On the mountains of truth, you can never climb in vain.”

I’ve been reflecting on the past year: letting go of idealistic assumptions, holding onto sweet memories and learning about true friendship. The reason I’m reflecting in July is because my younger (and only) brother, Brett, was killed by a drunk driver on July 17th, 2009. He left behind a wonderful wife and sweet, young son. The accident was during the day, near his home, a violent flash in time that he could not escape. Posting personal information is not something I’ve done on my blog, but this month is different.

I am so blessed to live in the mountains that I love and in which I find restoration, truth and peace. Mountain quotes keep crossing my path—poignant metaphors for a year that has been so, well, horrible.

Coincidentally, literally climbing mountains has become a hobby of mine. My husband and a friend taught me Traditional climbing/Trad climbing: a style of rock climbing in which a climber or group of climbers places all gear required to protect against falls (cams, etc.), and removes it when a passage is complete.

Important parts of trad climbing are a strong focus on exploration and a strict dedication to leaving nature unblemished. To be honest, the focus part is what I’m all about right now. Focusing intensely on the moment while learning to scale granite, nothing else in my head but strategy and the resolution to keep climbing. So far, climbing routes on-sight (ground up, no prior knowledge of the route) by using a different approach each time has been key. It’s equally as creative as web and graphic design, and provides a physical and mental challenge that somehow releases me.

Rock climbing confirms my mental and physical strength. Hopefully, soon the strength and determination I possess while climbing will match what I have to will myself to do everyday. Is there a point in climbing towards truth? Time and I will sort out the climbing metaphors.