Tee up The Whaler by Thrice. A song for the temple. Deeply spiritual.
I am excited for today.
The Temple
I'm on the tram, heading up to the Narrows. The Narrows is a spiritual hub for me. This will be the grand finale of this epic nature trek. I feel full. My heart is satisfied. I don't know exactly what I was looking for, but I know that I am no longer looking for anything. Last night I laid in bed and had tremendous peace in coming to the decision to cut my trip a few days short.
I have what I need. I am grateful.
Zion has hosted me in many important moments in my life.
The Narrows are a different kind of epic. A slot canyon with walls hundreds of feet high. With a river flowing through it, varying levels, from ankle deep to nipple deep. Swimming pools. Caves. Waterfalls.
My temple.
I first came to Zion with my youngest brother Christian after he graduated from college. We did the 10 mile hike from the top to the bottom. I remember it like it was yesterday. Our eyes were opened that day. The epicness of Zion experienced for the first time, with my little brother. A special bonding moment. I remember the sense of awe, for both of us. At that point in my life I had just started getting into nature, and had done nothing remotely close to something this big. It was the trip that sparked my zest for nature.
The origins of Chill Charters started in the Narrows that day. I remember getting a text at 12:50 on a Wednesday, a reminder for the weekly team meeting. In that moment I made a commitment to myself that I would try out a new direction. I wanted to orient my life around nature. I had no idea that boats would be that outlet, but the seed was planted, and its what started my personal journey and quest to shift my career direction. An important inflection point in my life.
I came to the Narrows with my 17 best friends for my bachelor party. One big epic hike with my closest friends. I needed my closest inner circle to experience what this was. To feel what I felt. To experience the towering power of the place.
I had been fired from my job at Lyft on the drive to Zion on the eve of my bachelor party. I started at Wefunder the week after the hike in the Narrows. Probably the single most impactful 10 day stretch of my life up to this point. Another inflection point that propelled me to new heights, personally and professionally.
Every time I've been to Zion I've been on acid. Holy moments of deep spirituality. Experiences that literally changed the trajectory of my life. This place is important to me.
Today I am sober. I feel so incredibly at peace with where I'm at. I think the Grand Canyon brought about a wave of inner peace. Today I'm going with emotions of pure happiness. Today I'm going to give thanks. To honor this place. A fitting grand finale for this leg of the journey.
::
Tee up Hey Jude.
The staple song of a great day. When my life feels in perfect alignment.
Sing it. Sing it loud.
I'm sitting in the heart of the Narrows. On top of a rock, with a very large current / stream / mini waterfall below me.
I've been rocking my 2019 playlist on shuffle. A wide range of songs and emotions -- but the vibe that shines the brightest is happiness and joy.
I'm having so much fun alone. Sending it. Dancing. Embracing the friendship I have with myself, embracing every second of this experience.
I've been thinking a lot about every person who came with me to this magical place, my 17 closest friends back in 2019. I'm stoked that I still have a strong relationship with each of them.
I'm reflecting on everything that's happened over the past three years. My professional breakthrough at Wefunder. COVID. An explosion of nature exploration. The evolution of Chill Charters. New friends and stronger sense of community in San Diego. A stronger sense of self. So many fun memories and good times. Confidence and enthusiasm at an all time high.
Extremely grateful.
And full of hope for what's ahead. For my relationships. For new, rich experiences. For learning and growth. To embrace the challenges that life throws you and also embrace the good times with enthusiasm. My heart is full. I'm very very happy.
I couldn't have asked for a better grand finale. LFG.
Baby, I'm coming home.