Welcoming the challenge...

Snowy trees from the helicopter...

I didn't quite capture the beauty of these trees with the sun behind them (and the color is really off) but still...pretty.

Looking out to the Seven Devils at sunset.

The sky from this direction looked like a painting.  add in the snowy landscape and the moon and just wow.

Waiting for this elk to lay down from the drug...helicopter in the background.  Our 'easiest' walk...it was flat and short but still knee-high snow!  This is in the South Fork of the Clearwater.

Just the beauty of fresh snow.

Waiting for the helicopter after a long, slickery walk uphill.  I'm not actually mad but I am tired!  This is in the South Fork of the Clearwater country.  That coat, by the way, is 15 years old and with the help of duck tape is still going strong.  Bought for $99 from STP and worth every single penny!

These girls ran above us while we were working another animal.  This is the Craig Mountain herd in Idaho...near Hells Canyon.

Right above the confluence of the Snake River and the Salmon River...I was standing in Idaho...across the river is Oregon.  This is at the mouth of Hells Canyon and is some of the prettiest country in my opinion.

The Snake River.  I like this shot because much of this country burned this summer...the bright green in the foreground burned and some of the native bunch grasses (and some non-native species as well) are greening up....the light brown in the background is more typical for this time of year. 

A capture I was supposed to be doing before Christmas got delayed and so John and I spent the end of 2014 and the start of 2015 on an elk capture in 3 different areas of the Clearwater Region of Idaho.  I must admit that on NYE, I was a tad crabby...it was freezing (3 degrees F or -16C to you Canadians) and I just wasn't in the mood to be working in the most physically demanding country we've worked in, flying around in a helicopter with no doors, trudging through knee-high snow, and maneuvering impossibly steep slopes with a pack on my back and just boots on my feet...often falling or sliding more than walking (sometimes the best approach is just to sit and slide hoping you'll find something to stop you before the bottom!).  I work all the time.  But there are 3 days when I refuse to work...Thanksgiving, Xmas, and New Years day.  I had no choice this year and I let feelings of self-pity overwhelm me for a day or two.

Then, using some of the tools I've learned, I got out of my head, looked around at where I was at and instead of focusing on how physically demanding it was, instead saw the beauty in it.  I quit feeling sorry for myself and instead, started to make some plans for 2015.  And I also started to think about a word for this year.  I had a few rolling around in my head.  'Connection' kept coming up over and over again...connection with myself and my body, connection with friends and family...but I just wasn't sure.   


Have you seen this quote?

'A goal without a plan is just a dream'.

I've seen these words over and over again the past few weeks and they have stayed with me as I worked through what I wanted to accomplish in 2015.  I'm not going to list my goals here.  But they relate to the typical things...creativity, movement, mindful eating, work etc.   The difference this year is that instead of just listing a goal, I've made a 'manageable' plan for achieving those goals (one always has to 'quote' manageable doesn't one? or is that just me?).

And the theme that came up over and over again as I was working through these plans was;

 'CHALLENGE'

I have a fear of failure to some degree...which I'm sure we all have.  And I'm realizing that outside of work, I sometimes don't challenge myself enough (I don't intentionally challenge myself in work...it does that all on its own!)...or push myself enough...because of that fear of failure.  This is not just about learning or trying something new...or about pushing myself physically...it's also about the challenge that comes with self-evaluation and the challenge when on a journey of emotional growth.  Not challenging myself though, can and often does lead to a disappointment in myself which leads to...  well, let's just say it is one of those vicious circles.   I'm finally recognizing that needs to change.  As such, outside of making plans, I have also already committed (this is key -- committed rather than just thinking about it) myself to various activities that will challenge me.  But with the mantra 'shoot for progress, not perfection'.  This last part...it's so very important.  A couple years ago...hell, a year ago...I would not have been able to handle this word.  It would have tied me in knots just thinking about it because I simply didn't want to aim below 'perfection'...or at least some idea of that.  Now though, I think I'm ready. But maybe more importantly, if I'm not, I think I'll realize it and adjust.

So in 2015, I'm going to challenge myself.  And hopefully, if all goes according to plan, I will bring you along on that journey. ;)

Do you have a word or a plan for 2015?  I'd love to hear about it.

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Now playing: If It Be Your Will by Leonard Cohen


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