Big Sur, California – the place where I find solace in the silence of the outdoors, captive only to the ten thousand visible stars. It is my photography fantasyland – from panoramic stars, jagged landscape, sunrise burning through the carpet of fog, I’ve probably photographed it. I chose my favorite spot to share on my first formal guiding trip, drawing from my “training” – nearly drowning in a 35-degree Alaskan river, viewing the Hawaiian sunrise above the clouds, and running out of stove gas with 2 days left in my backpacking trip. But thinking back on those moments made me realize it was never the event or photo itself that stuck with me. It is gifting that skill that I gleaned from hundreds of hours researching, failing with, and experimenting with that is so emotionally addictive and rewarding.
I can teach someone how to build a computer or cross-country road trip itinerary or e-commerce website or launch a startup, but when he or she goes on to give time helping me build computers for homeless shelters or speak about that trip years in the future or get that smile when they know they have a business with legs or – best of all – teach others what I’ve taught them, I’ve succeeded.
After all, it’s these transmissible skills that make our memories tangible, meaningful – something that can be appreciated and remembered and gifted from the same people that shared that experience with you – I don’t think there is anything more powerful than that.
