While most dream of a “White Christmas” I’ve been dreaming of a “White Yosemite” – and I’ve been going there, “if only in my dreams” for as long as I can remember. Yosemite is not only one of the most spectacular places on earth an a photographers paradise, but in winter, the word “wonderland” doesn’t do it justice. But getting there is winter has always been something that just wasn’t possible or realistic financially or logistically.

Until my good friend Jessica Klinker, on the Kidology CP Team, asked me to come to Lodi California this month to equip and encourage her volunteers… hmmmmm… the same church that we have stopped at for lunch on the way to Yosemite Summit in May? Suddenly, my “impossible” dream of going to Yosemite in winter wasn’t so impossible! Of course, I had to convince my wife to allow me add on some extra days for my solo trip, but a little bargaining later, and me and God had a date and I have my own little Yosemite Summit for Two, just Jesus and me for three days.

I’m so excited I could just burst!

I twittered about it a few weeks ago and a company called Stabilicers asked me if I had their product (shoe grippers) and encouraged me to check out their facebook page. I replied to @32northSTABIL and suggested (kinda kidding!) that they send me a free pair to try out at Yosemite promising a review on my blog – and they did! In the meantime, check out their fun YouTube Channel.

I promise to post pictures here from my solo sabbatical as soon as I return – and if you want to join me in May for the Yosemite Summit with eight other men, register soon – there is limited space, and it fills up every year! Four spots are spoken for so far with deposits pending, so it is nearly half full already! Be sure to check out the highlight photo and videos for 2008 and 2009.

I’d love to have you join me in this life-changing place!

My first reaction was that this was over simplifying the concept of goals, but the more I think about it – the more I like it!

I will still say that for a goal to be a genuine goal it must be specific and measurable, but nevertheless, I like this definition – “decide what you want to do, and then do it.”

Too many people NEVER DECIDE what they want to do in life, and they spend their entire life doing what other people tell them to do. (Granted, there are others who only think of themselves and only do what they want, but that’s another thing entirely!) But my point is that if there is something wild and crazy and exciting that you would LOVE to do – you simply need to DECIDE TO DO IT, and then, um, well, DO IT!

Take Yosemite Summit for example. I have wanted to go to Yosemite with a group of guys and hike for years – and I mean YEARS, but it wasn’t until I DECIDED to do it, and then DID IT that it happened last month. I’m not discounting God’s roll! I prayed about it for months, and got His (and my wife’s!) approval, but I didn’t let excuses and the intimidation of the details and costs keep me from doing it, and I had the time of my life.

And I’m doing it again next year!

So I find myself asking myself, “What else am I afraid to decide to do?” It is time to set another goal I think!

And I ask you the same thing! WHAT DO YOU need to decide to do, and then do? Don’t live in such a way that you will regret it later. If you need some prayer and encouragement, feel free to contact me and tell me your ambitious and “impossible” dream and I will pray with you that God will make it happen, and I believe He will, just as He made Yosemite Summit a reality when I trusted Him! (Just reference this post when you write.)

I dare you – make a GOAL today – “decide what you want to do, and then do it!”

In Canada this past weekend I discovered that my host, Steve, was a climbing enthusiast who actually has some serious training and experience in rock and ice climbing! I found myself gawking at the pictures he had on display in his office that he had cut from magazines and a calendar that showed incredible views of God’s Creation along with quotes like:

Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from beginning think what may be the end. – Edward Whymper

To avoid critism do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. – Elbert Hubbard

Adventure is worthwhile in itself. – Amelia Earhart

Without a struggle there can be no progress. – Fredrick Douglass

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. – William Feather

Some people see things and say, “Why?” I dream things that never were, and say, “Why not?”

Those are just a few I copied into my iPhone and e-mailed myself to save. On the ride back to the airport (when I think I convinced him to come to Yosemite Summit next year) he recommended what he said was the best climbing magazine, especially for awesome photography: Alpinist.com and while it is a little more than your usual magazine, I am definitely subscribing. But even if you don’t want to subscribe, you may enjoy the free wallpapers on the site, I downloaded them all and made them my rotating waller with a new one appearing every five minutes.

I love how they describe themselves:

We believe in sinker jams high off the deck, a bomber nut, the crescent moon, your partner’s whoop, sand-washing the fry pan, road trips, one-swing sticks, remembering to breathe, alpine starts (more for the alpenglow than the early hour), espresso in the desert, the plungestep, lenticular cloudcaps, rest days, the focus of a runout, a cold beer at the end of it all. If you believe in these things too, join us.

I may have to make that a cold Root Beer at the end of it all, but while I don’t even know what most of those terms mean – they sure sound exciting!

I’m not sure Yosemite Summit will provide this much danger and risk, but hey, you gotta start somewhere! After all,

The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – Lao-Tzu