Pushing the Limit Too Far?

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a great week and get to do something nice, relaxing, and enjoyable this weekend!

I am happy to tell you that Mark and I safely and successfully summitted Mt. Whitney yesterday! We are back and very happy to be home. The climb yesterday was one of the most, if not the most, intense and exhausting (physically and emotionally) activities I have ever done! It was also one of the most comforting and eye-opening experiences as well!

While making the 15 hour climb yesterday, I had a lot of time to think about my life, and just be stoked for the amazing life, friends, and family that I have! Thoughts of love, family, friends, work and career, moving, traveling, the direction of the Forever Young Project, and just life in general kept my mind busy while climbing and trying to suck in as much of the thin air as possible. It was a very humbling experience and I had a lot of clarity yesterday, even without much oxygen!

To mentally prepare for this climb, I had been reading a book about spirituality, serenity, and peace in the wilderness by Jamie Korngold. I thought it'd be an interesting read, to see if I could incorporate some zen into my adventures (been lacking that in my life lately)/

When we got back to our hostel last night, exhausted after the 15 hour trek, I was so tired I wasn't able to sleep. I opened Korngold's book to begin a new chapter, and interestingly enough it was all about pushing the limits and why we do it. This chapter really resonated to me, especially last night, after we had pushed the limits so much. Korngold says "Our culture, especially for those of us who lie out west, is all about breaking limits. We don't want any limits imposed on us. We want to discover the limits ourselves. The motto No Limits has become the motto of our time." She then goes on to say near the end of the chapter, "I do recognize that on the path to peace I need to push a bit less and respect limits a bit more . I need to challenge myself to spend less time climbing the high peaks and more time sitting still and listening. I need to rush less from place to place, and go deeper into the place I am. Somewhere there is a middle ground, and our task is to find it."

It was really interesting, almost serendipitous, to be reading that chapter as soon as we got back from pushing ourselves and climbing the highest peak in the contiguous United States. It got me thinking a lot. Why was I pushing the limit? Why have I been? What am I trying to prove or comfort myself with? I had an epiphany last night after our climb and reading this chapter: I don't need to constantly challenge myself by pushing the limits to do good in the world, or to stay distracted to keep my mind of things that aren't going the way I want/expected in life.

After the Whitney climb and then reading that chapter, I started reflecting a lot, even in my exhausted state of mind. I found that, truly, I find the most peace and happiness when I am with my family and friends, and doing the simple things in life that I love! I don't need to climb the highest mountain, surf the biggest wave, constantly be on the go, or push the limit to find happiness, do good in the world, or prove something to myself and others. I just want to be with the people I love and do the simple things in life that bring happiness!

Thank you for all your support. The Forever Young Project is strong, alive, and continuing to grow. We appreciate you supporting us on our Mt. Whitney climb, and kindly ask you to support us from that climb by supporting, volunteering, and/or donating to Los Patojos and Rising Minds (www.risingminds.org) and Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times (www.campronaldmcdonald.org). Don't know how to?? Donate just $22 (in honor of our 22 mile climb of Mt. Whitney) to one or all of these organizations!

Until next time, Rock n' Roll,
Justin Blake Young and the Forever Young Project Team