Tonight I headed out to climb at the COP climbing wall.   It was hopping in there tonight, as many of the Denison kids were over- this being their last night to climb before school gets out, and there were many other folks there who I have met over the last so many weeks of climbing.  It made for a tight room, and I didn't get to climb as much as I would have liked, but it was probably for the best as I would have over done it.  I am recovering from a bad cold/flu like bug. 

I met some new folks tonight and branched out with some different climbing partners, including one who fell frequently- and I think he and I must weigh about the same- cause when he would fall, I would end up on my tip toes.  He was a pretty daring climber, and was trying hard to follow this one route- and he finally did.  I had actually met him on Monday night- he works in this store in Granville where I bought new sandals for Will- so it was cool to make that connection when I got to the climbing wall.  He is a nice kid. 

As each week I go, I try to do a wall I have not done before, and tonight was no exception.  I was encouraged by a Denison student to try this more difficult route up the wall with a bit of an obstacle in the way, and few hand holds towards the top- it too great use of my long reach to do so, but I made it to the top.   I am finding that I am becoming more agile and also feel less need to have a really tight grip on the holds.  I suppose I am trusting the rope- but really I am trusting my own body more to handle what I am doing.  I still have no idea how to actually follow a route!  I mean I understand the concept of following the route, however, actually doing it while I climb is where I fail.  I just seem to enjoy figuring out how to scramble up- rarely doing it the same way twice- which is probably very wrong- but for now it works.  I am sure in time, as I gain experience and do this more, I will manage to follow a route up the wall. 

I just like how I feel when I am climbing - I feel like I can be present to what is happening in my body, what is happening in my mind and even my soul.  I have to concentrate on the now, and its enjoyable.  I feel like I accomplish something- and I love stretching my body to its limits.  Its silly, but when I was a little kid, with my long legs I would try to climb the stairs at school or home, taking the fewest steps- stretching my legs to their limit.  This feels very much like that- and its a refreshing feeling that takes things back to a simpler time in my life.  And in that moment as I try to figure out how to get to the next hold, I feel vibrant and vital, very present to myself. 

Its something we all need to practice, the feeling of being present to the moment.  Most of us are a few moments ahead of ourselves in our day to day, and it is a welcome moment when we can just be.