Capacity is defined as “the ability to receive, hold, or absorb; the maximum amount that can be contained.”
For the first four decades of my life, I was completely self-absorbed in that all of my resources were put toward the goal of keeping myself as emotionally stable as I possibly could. And this was a good thing; because when I went off the rails I not only hurt myself, but everyone else around me.
Only once I had healed to the point where I was no longer controlled by emotions like rage and pain did I resurface into the world of others. And when I resurfaced, I saw that I was not alone, that what I had lived through was a personal version of the wounds that affect many people in our society.
For the first time in my life, I had the capacity to give back to the world that has given so much to me. At first I did so in the form of introducing people to ice climbing through venues like Chicks with Picks and at various events like the Bozeman and Ouray Ice Festivals. And now that I have written a memoir, I do so through speaking engagements where I talk freely about the journey that has been my life.
I have been coming to Ouray almost every year for over a decade, and I am honoured to be given the chance to give back to a community that has given so much to me.
On Thursday, January 12th I will be giving a presentation at the Wilkinson Public Library in Telluride at 6:00 PM. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A, as well as book sales through Between the Covers.
And on Saturday, January 14th, I will be giving a very special presentation at the Chicks with Picks auction where we will be raising money for the Tri-County Women’s Resource Center.
When we increase our own capacity, everyone wins. It’s part of the Solution.
Congratulations on the book and making capacity in your life to give back. You’ll make the world a better place and bring more joy to your own life than you’ll ever know. You’ll be glad to know I’m finally wearing shoes with a closed upper and loving the winter weather. Hope to see you at OR.