The rain falls, but with an icy chill forming rather than a refreshing. The air hangs in tension, with signs of snow on every corner. Mountain tops putting on winter caps of crystallized h2o. The wind packs a stronger punch, with temperature dropping force that cuts deeply. Birds are becoming scarce, heading for lower 48 vacation homes. Bears begin to think about dens with a view. Winter time is rapidly approaching in Alaska. It is different though, because it is the first time in 8 years that I have not been in Alaska for this changing of seasons. It is unfortunate, because the fall transition is so vibrant and colorful in the Last Frontier. However, in exchange for the lack of Alaska time, I have been able to see the transition in Idaho for the first time in 8 years, and spend it with family and friends. So it’s a trade off. But being absent does not keep my mind from wandering back to the vast mountain ranges and valleys, screaming of adventure. Watching The Art of FLIGHT conjured up the imagination of riding effortlessly down the mountain faces chased by cascading avalanches. A good friend in Port Alsworth actually started a helicopter operation, and is making the dream more like reality. But all that being said, I am apart from the North Land, and have to rely upon my mind and local adventure. Although the latter has not failed me, and its kept the tempo upbeat and adventure flowing, so I am thankful.

So since I have been thinking about changing seasons and Alaska, I began to think of how I could apply these thoughts to my current situation besides just day dreams. What came up is the correlation between the mountains and daily life. I am in the process of setting new goals for this transition season in my life, and there are many mountains involved. But I have been learning many things during the process. We go through our days, sometimes in a valley, sometimes on the top of a mountain. But during that time, what is our mind on? Are we thinking only about where we are currently, or are we thinking about where we could be. What is the reason we are in the valley, if that is the case. Many times our view is obstructed by things around us, and keeps us stuck where we are because we cannot see past it. But rather than being stuck only looking at the situation, we should be looking at the end goal, to get a vision of where we really want and should be. We must rise above the tops of the mountains around us, even if just for a moment to see the goal and know that it is possible to get there.

Our focus must then come back to the here and now, back to the ground. It’s a balance between keeping our sight on the goal, and also focusing on the process to get there. So then we need action, a game plan to get to the goal. So we have to ask, what is keeping us from getting there? Are there mountains in front of us? If so, is it a mountain that can be moved? The Bible talks about having faith to move a mountain (Matthew 17:20). So if it’s an obstacle that is in you that has to change, or an opposition, then you can have faith to believe that it will move. However, some mountains are in front of us that must be climbed. It may take a long time but if you have scaled a mountain, no matter how big, you know it takes time and effort but the result is a feeling hard to match. Afterward you are stronger and energized to continue. You may have to go back down the other side again only to climb another one, but it is the process me must follow. Our lives are full of changes in elevation, and surroundings, but we do it to reach the goal in the end. If you don’t have an end goal, then its simple, make some. You will never know how you are doing, or if you have grown, if you don’t have goals to accomplish and complete. Then have a plan to accomplish them that you can handle. But when it gets hard to continue, or the mountain seems too tall, get your view above the tops of the mountains, to see the goal again. Although you can’t skip the process to get there, it will remind you that the goal is still there, and give you a vision to accomplish it.

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It was a glorious reunion, because when you are away for extended periods of time, especially several months, you gain a much greater appreciation for people that are close to you. The Holiday season was already in full swing, and it took up most of my time, just catching up. My Grandparents from the far off land of Minnesota, and also my sister from New York, came for Christmas, and made the season that much more special. There was food, parties, and stories a plenty, and before I knew it ,the New Year rolled around. It was during that time that so many things changed. Our first black president was inaugurated, and the reign of the Obama began. The economy went through, and still is going through, a crazy up and down roller coaster, mostly down than up. The list goes on, and you all know these things happened and are happening, but we are the ones caught in the middle of it all, and we must ask ourselves, what are we going to do about change. We can chant the phrase, and promote the instigator, but what is it that we are doing to help it come about?

Now I do not promote myself as an expert in this field by any means, and frankly, being one that spends most of my year out in the far reaches of the wilderness, with little contact with the current events and news, I am somewhat behind on some of the big issues and topics of today. But that being said, I am also just as much affected by these times, and changes as anyone. This year has brought about some huge changes in my life as well. I have launched into the world of entrepreneurs, taking the lead in building my own business. Although it has not been just my own efforts and initiatives. I have been incredibly blessed to have some great business leaders, coaches and mentors to take me along the way, step by step, in a very short amount of time. One of the biggest being my Dad, having the background in business building himself. All that to say this, change is here, and we have the weight of this burden on our shoulders.

Now you can blame all of it on the previous president, or the melting of the polar ice caps, but when it comes down to it, it is us, we asked for it. All we have now is to take a stand and go with it. The change that is here is not all good, but it is these times that force us to do things differently. Businesses have had to change, cutback and compete harder for work. But I believe that when we emerge on the opposite side of this era in history, we will be proud of the accomplishments and growth, but that is only if we take the initiative to make the best of the situation. In order to continue on, we must have more tenacity than ever. It is the people that prepare and manage their businesses and personal lives at this stage, that will be way ahead of the curve when it is all over. It doesn’t matter our age, or schooling, we have what it takes, and that should be a motivation.

I do not have the get rich quick book, or the seven steps how to change your life, but I do know that there are principles to being successful, and maintaining a great personal life. Start small. Do you have a budget for your time and money? I get taught this day in and day out, and it wasn’t until I actually started doing it that things began to change. It is amazing how productive you can be when you manage your time. Days fly by, and you can look back at the accomplishments and measure the success.

Also, are you growing in your knowledge? Not how well you can haggle for a deal or finding out what happens on the next episode of Lost, but true, valuable knowledge. There is such a huge availability of information out there, that it is very easy to get caught up in social networks, and engaging media, and miss the learning opportunities out there. Try listening to someone, rather than just wanting to hear yourself talk, you would be surprised how much you can learn from people and grow your relationships. Because we can lose all of this around us, but relationships last, through thick and thin, and they can keep you going when it all falls apart. Pick up a book, and read, maybe turn off the TV, and spend some time feeding your brain, instead of your eyes. Spend time with your family, if you have one, and grow together. We need all the help we can get, and it is always awesome to get help from someone that doesn’t have their own agenda as number one priority.

I hope these thoughts can benefit someone, and it might seem that these simple things don’t make a difference, but if we don’t change personally, how can we change this Nation. Yes, we may be on the road to socialism, but maybe that is what it takes to make this country wake up, and realize how easy we have it here, and that it takes us, taking a stand for change, to keep us together, and strong. I am sorry, but a new leader is not the answer, it starts in all of us. One thing will never change however, that God is in Control, and he can give you peace in the midst of the storm.

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