Alan Goldman’s Reflections on Mountaineering may be an excellent anthology of poetry on life and triumph; it’s also a brilliant book about the psychology of adventure and the enduring human spirit.
Written as a series of forty-five narrative poems, each differing in form, structure, and style, Alan V. Goldman’s Reflections on Mountaineering is a compilation of the lessons he gained from more than three decades of climbing mountains and a book about the psychology of adventure.
Since humanity first stepped out beneath the sun, they have always asked questions about themselves, the world around them, and what is beyond; adventure has always followed them.
And these questions still linger on the high-altitude slopes of mountains, along with the spirit of adventure.
Reflections on Mountaineering speaks on various topics—awe, wonder, fear, adventure, success, the trauma of defeat, and destiny.
Goldman communicates them in a manner that the average person understands, revealing “hidden” truths experienced by any mountaineer, including the toil that comes with preparation, the discipline it takes to persevere, and the ecstasy of overcoming both mountains and the self.
Reflections on Mountaineering provides readers with a yearning for the freedom of the hills; that release doesn’t necessarily have to be seen among those hills to be had.
The Adventurous Spirit of Humanity
The calling to adventure has been in the ears of humankind as far back as it can remember.
Humanity is defined by its spirit of adventure: from Leif Erikson landing in the Americas; to Marco Polo traveling the ancient Silk Road; Ibn Battuta documenting his journeys; Christopher Columbus rediscovering the Americas; Zheng He searching beyond the seas; to Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigating the world; to Sacagawea, Lewis, and Clarke reaching the west coast of the United States; to Amelia Earhart, Edmund Hillary, and Tenzing Norgay; to Yuri Gagarin floating in space; and to Apollo 11 touching the surface of the moon.
Adventure is the driving force for most human ingenuity and discovery, and without it, human progress would screech to a halt and stagnate.
Because of this adventurous drive, people grow, realize their dreams, and create civilizations.
Through adventure, people move beyond expectations, develop new ideas, and find discoveries.
To be adventurous is to be open to the endless possibilities in the universe.
What Can Be Defined as Adventure?
Uncertainty is the point of adventure; humanity, with its ever-curious mind, does not like being uncertain and ventures out of its comfort zone into the unknown in search of answers to dispel what uncertainties cloud its understanding of the world.
It is the work of a burned-out mind to be incurious.
But what is adventure?
What can adventure be, and what can’t it be?
Can an average person feel a sense of adventure and undergo a journey of discovery? Or is it merely when it concerns climbing mountains, diving into frozen waters, falling from the sky, or is there more to adventure than just a sense of danger?
To be human is to be curious, and to be interested is to venture out of the known.
Fundamentally, adventure is the presence of mind to dedicate oneself to uncertainty, to give in to curiosity; so, in this sense, adventure can be whatever gives you the impetus to learn and engage.
Always have an open heart and an open mind, and adventure is always at the corner.
Why You Should Follow the Pull
The yearning for adventure is in the hearts of all humans, but accepting its call can involve a lot in this modern world. Yet, it’s essential to break out of the walls you’ve built around yourself because if you don’t, you risk stagnating, sinking into yourself, and getting closed off from other perspectives.
Adventure is a rhythm that breaks monotony; psychologically speaking, disruption helps restart brain functions that have been dulled because of routine.
Disconnected from your usual beats, you can appreciate them more, and the brain gets a chance to relax.
When on an adventure, especially those involving travel and engagement, people grow and learn new insights about themselves that they would have never gained just by staying in their comfort zones.
Through adventure, you are inspired by the hardships you overcome and the awe you discover, your perspective of the world is flipped on its head, and you learn to view things differently, more empathically and vividly.
Adventure is not restricted to the daredevil or the carefree.
Adventure is for everyone who hears the call.
The Happy Hammock 