Sacrifice

"Sacrifice" is my word for the year 2008. That said, I am truly only scratching the surface of the meaning of this word and the implications it has on my life, and when others apply it, the implications it has on us all. Constantly I try to understand this word and what it means for my family and me...what it means for our country. In these times of economic and political uncertainty there are a lot of sacrifices being made. Cutting back and trimming the fat, working harder to get less and pay more. The arrival of my twin girls this year has shown me exactly how selfish I can be, especially when it comes to spending. Sacrifice - keep what you've got...the holey socks will make it one more winter...upgrade next year. As I struggle with this word - and even more its application in my life - I have been shown an even greater sacrifice. It is what the men and women of the armed forces are making every day as they serve in a war zone, hoping that their efforts will one day provide freedom and liberty to victims of oppression. Recently I had the opportunity to meet Army Captain Ivan Castro of the 7th Special Forces unit and climb to 14,000 feet here in Colorado on a blustery day. Ivan lost his sight while serving in Iraq when a mortar exploded just five feet from him. Thus, killing his two friends next to him and permanantly blinding him in both eyes, filling him with enough shrapnel to set off airport metal detectors. It is a huge price to pay. It is a huge sacrifice that has been made, but I feel certainly not in vain.

Starting at 7:00 a.m. we began our climb with clear skies and a swift breeze. By 10:00 a.m. we were well on our way and a bit of snow was beginning to fall (sideways and at 50 mph). Shortly after noon we had hit our high point as the wind had hit us and forced us to our knees. As a blind man, this was Ivan's first climb. Now, we were just short of the summit, pushing through knee deep snow, with 80 mph wind gusts. These conditions proved to be just a little more than we could justify for safety's sake. The summit would have to wait for another day. Our health and wellbeing came first, and even though I knew Ivan would have crawled with me to the summit I just couldn't ask him do it. We pulled out the American flag in honor of his fallen comrades and our country and celebrated our high point as the wind drove the stinging snow into our faces and down our throats. As I introduced Ivan to climbing and got to know him, I kept thinking of the sacrifice he made for his country and how I still have so much to learn about this, as I attempt to live it for my family whom I love. He showed me that a patriot never gives up, by way of his enduring commitment to continue serving in the Army while blind. I saw this resolve as we climbed and know now that it is this same resolve we must all show to get through trials. To get to the top or even just survive will require some self sacrifice, perhaps giving up what is comfortable, selfish, or easy so that someone else can get a moment on a summit or live in a land of the free.

Sacrifice

"Sacrifice" is my word for the year 2008. That said, I am truly only scratching the surface of the meaning of this word and the implications it has on my life, and when others apply it, the implications it has on us all. Constantly I try to understand this word and what it means for my family and me...what it means for our country. In these times of economic and political uncertainty there are a lot of sacrifices being made. Cutting back and trimming the fat, working harder to get less and pay more. The arrival of my twin girls this year has shown me exactly how selfish I can be, especially when it comes to spending. Sacrifice - keep what you've got...the holey socks will make it one more winter...upgrade next year. As I struggle with this word - and even more its application in my life - I have been shown an even greater sacrifice. It is what the men and women of the armed forces are making every day as they serve in a war zone, hoping that their efforts will one day provide freedom and liberty to victims of oppression. Recently I had the opportunity to meet Army Captain Ivan Castro of the 7th Special Forces unit and climb to 14,000 feet here in Colorado on a blustery day. Ivan lost his sight while serving in Iraq when a mortar exploded just five feet from him. Thus, killing his two friends next to him and permanantly blinding him in both eyes, filling him with enough shrapnel to set off airport metal detectors. It is a huge price to pay. It is a huge sacrifice that has been made, but I feel certainly not in vain.

Starting at 7:00 a.m. we began our climb with clear skies and a swift breeze. By 10:00 a.m. we were well on our way and a bit of snow was beginning to fall (sideways and at 50 mph). Shortly after noon we had hit our high point as the wind had hit us and forced us to our knees. As a blind man, this was Ivan's first climb. Now, we were just short of the summit, pushing through knee deep snow, with 80 mph wind gusts. These conditions proved to be just a little more than we could justify for safety's sake. The summit would have to wait for another day. Our health and wellbeing came first, and even though I knew Ivan would have crawled with me to the summit I just couldn't ask him do it. We pulled out the American flag in honor of his fallen comrades and our country and celebrated our high point as the wind drove the stinging snow into our faces and down our throats. As I introduced Ivan to climbing and got to know him, I kept thinking of the sacrifice he made for his country and how I still have so much to learn about this, as I attempt to live it for my family whom I love. He showed me that a patriot never gives up, by way of his enduring commitment to continue serving in the Army while blind. I saw this resolve as we climbed and know now that it is this same resolve we must all show to get through trials. To get to the top or even just survive will require some self sacrifice, perhaps giving up what is comfortable, selfish, or easy so that someone else can get a moment on a summit or live in a land of the free.

Welcome to the Planet

3:43 a.m. Monday morning June 30, 2008, I witnessed the arrival of my two new baby girls. Karis Carolyn Alexander was the first born that morning, and 23 minutes later her sister Aralyn (Ary) Jeri Alexander was tugged out of her comfortable, familiar surroundings onto terra firma. Welcome to the family, girls! Welcome to the planet!

The hours of labor passed quickly for me as we stayed up through the night counting to ten what must have been 3,000 times. Amy and I remained awake into the next day for a total of forty waking hours, twelve of which were labor. Though time flew for me, (perhaps because I was literally counting it) I am most certain that time was not flying for my wife Amy, but I was astonished at her cool resolve through the process, and even the ability to, at times, laugh (maybe this had something to do with the epidural she received just after we got to the hospital 6cm dilated, and less to do with the fact I was swapping climbing stories with the doctor as he was pulling on the babies with forceps).

Time to cut the cord, suction the nose and mouth, breathe for the first time, feel a touch directly on the skin. Wiped down, pushed around, poked and prodded, bruised and battered, flipped and flopped thankfully not dropped, under the lights naked and bare under the gaze of a dozen who stare. Quick to analyze every move, every spot, every groove; who is she like, what will she be.. it's a tough day for them, a tough day for me. Welcome to the planet.

The brightest moment by far was to see them rest in their mama's arms for the first time as she swung her head back and forth trying to get a good look at each baby just for a moment brief enough to let her pony tail catch up and hit her in the cheek and then swing again to see the other child in the other arm. Welcome to your loving mom's embrace.

The learning curve rises like that of a climb the likes of Everest. Reading books, getting advice, talking to docs, consultants, nurses, family, friends, it goes on and I think there is no way to know it all, and then suddenly I am reminded that just loving them is most important of all. We felt so loved with visits from family and friends, our Pastor and an outpouring of gifts. Our family has been blessed, and we know we are loved. Welcome to the planet.

Spending just two days in the hospital, we were able to take the girls from Denver back to our home in Avon, Colorado at just over 8,000 feet. This one hundred mile drive I have made numerous times in every condition imaginable, such as the blinding snowstorms on Vail pass at midnight, but none could compare to the stress of this drive with my new cargo. Contending with the July 4th holiday traffic, hail storms, road construction and 18 wheelers, I found it hard to keep from teaching my girls those special words in my vocabulary we hope young girls will never hear. Being sure not to go over 65 mph (something new to me) I would yell "how can people drive like that! Stupid trucker! Hey idiot - slow down!" I thought I did well until we were stopped at 10,500' just at the entrance to the Eisenhower tunnel for what seemed like an eternity. Usually not bad, but today I did the unusual maneuver typically reserved for those with California or Texas plates, I drove past all the cars, patiently waiting their turn to merge left, all the way to the front of the line and assumed the "Pole Position" for the change of the light. "Let me through, these girls are barely okay at 5,000', they are just little preemies, their little lungs can't handle this altitude!!!" They made it through of course thanks to Dad's pushy driving. Finally, I was put over the top when we pulled over for gas and a feeding in Silverthorne and the car failed to start. "Noooo! Please!!! This is just their first day in the real world!! My sister-in-law, Jill saved our day by giving us a "jump." After what seemed like years, we finally made it home.

Even through all of this I am still thankful, for all I can think of are the babies around the world born into poverty, where a mom might feed her child roots, dirt, or grass just to keep them quiet through the night in hope of food tomorrow. Welcome to this home girls.

Now three weeks old and doing well, I see it is my life that has changed. Lack of sleep, loads of stress, moments of peace, all laced with wonder, doubt, and introspection. I might be losing sleep, losing hair, losing patience, but at least I am gaining weight! What happened to the long bike rides and the days out in the mountains? Hurry up girls, there is a lot for us to go do, but please stay young forever and don't grow up to soon.

In coming aboard this earthly vessel there is no doubt we are all in for a wild ride. I will do my best, to be my best, so that they may have my best. When the late night's sleep deprived Mom and Dad are jolted out of bed by shrill cries, just like on the road, we will try to keep our hands at ten and two and not be afraid to ask for a "jump" when we need it most.

Welcome to the Planet

3:43 a.m. Monday morning June 30, 2008, I witnessed the arrival of my two new baby girls. Karis Carolyn Alexander was the first born that morning, and 23 minutes later her sister Aralyn (Ary) Jeri Alexander was tugged out of her comfortable, familiar surroundings onto terra firma. Welcome to the family, girls! Welcome to the planet!

The hours of labor passed quickly for me as we stayed up through the night counting to ten what must have been 3,000 times. Amy and I remained awake into the next day for a total of forty waking hours, twelve of which were labor. Though time flew for me, (perhaps because I was literally counting it) I am most certain that time was not flying for my wife Amy, but I was astonished at her cool resolve through the process, and even the ability to, at times, laugh (maybe this had something to do with the epidural she received just after we got to the hospital 6cm dilated, and less to do with the fact I was swapping climbing stories with the doctor as he was pulling on the babies with forceps).

Time to cut the cord, suction the nose and mouth, breathe for the first time, feel a touch directly on the skin. Wiped down, pushed around, poked and prodded, bruised and battered, flipped and flopped thankfully not dropped, under the lights naked and bare under the gaze of a dozen who stare. Quick to analyze every move, every spot, every groove; who is she like, what will she be.. it's a tough day for them, a tough day for me. Welcome to the planet.

The brightest moment by far was to see them rest in their mama's arms for the first time as she swung her head back and forth trying to get a good look at each baby just for a moment brief enough to let her pony tail catch up and hit her in the cheek and then swing again to see the other child in the other arm. Welcome to your loving mom's embrace.

The learning curve rises like that of a climb the likes of Everest. Reading books, getting advice, talking to docs, consultants, nurses, family, friends, it goes on and I think there is no way to know it all, and then suddenly I am reminded that just loving them is most important of all. We felt so loved with visits from family and friends, our Pastor and an outpouring of gifts. Our family has been blessed, and we know we are loved. Welcome to the planet.

Spending just two days in the hospital, we were able to take the girls from Denver back to our home in Avon, Colorado at just over 8,000 feet. This one hundred mile drive I have made numerous times in every condition imaginable, such as the blinding snowstorms on Vail pass at midnight, but none could compare to the stress of this drive with my new cargo. Contending with the July 4th holiday traffic, hail storms, road construction and 18 wheelers, I found it hard to keep from teaching my girls those special words in my vocabulary we hope young girls will never hear. Being sure not to go over 65 mph (something new to me) I would yell "how can people drive like that! Stupid trucker! Hey idiot - slow down!" I thought I did well until we were stopped at 10,500' just at the entrance to the Eisenhower tunnel for what seemed like an eternity. Usually not bad, but today I did the unusual maneuver typically reserved for those with California or Texas plates, I drove past all the cars, patiently waiting their turn to merge left, all the way to the front of the line and assumed the "Pole Position" for the change of the light. "Let me through, these girls are barely okay at 5,000', they are just little preemies, their little lungs can't handle this altitude!!!" They made it through of course thanks to Dad's pushy driving. Finally, I was put over the top when we pulled over for gas and a feeding in Silverthorne and the car failed to start. "Noooo! Please!!! This is just their first day in the real world!! My sister-in-law, Jill saved our day by giving us a "jump." After what seemed like years, we finally made it home.

Even through all of this I am still thankful, for all I can think of are the babies around the world born into poverty, where a mom might feed her child roots, dirt, or grass just to keep them quiet through the night in hope of food tomorrow. Welcome to this home girls.

Now three weeks old and doing well, I see it is my life that has changed. Lack of sleep, loads of stress, moments of peace, all laced with wonder, doubt, and introspection. I might be losing sleep, losing hair, losing patience, but at least I am gaining weight! What happened to the long bike rides and the days out in the mountains? Hurry up girls, there is a lot for us to go do, but please stay young forever and don't grow up to soon.

In coming aboard this earthly vessel there is no doubt we are all in for a wild ride. I will do my best, to be my best, so that they may have my best. When the late night's sleep deprived Mom and Dad are jolted out of bed by shrill cries, just like on the road, we will try to keep our hands at ten and two and not be afraid to ask for a "jump" when we need it most.

Leadership lessons from West Point

The symposium is called the National Conference on Ethics in America and takes place at West Point Military academy in New York. I was invited to share some of my ideas on the subject of ethics especially as they relate to sports and more specifically climbing high peaks. I have climbed in numerous countries around the world and have been challenged by cultural interpretations of ethics and how they change in direct proportion to the distance one is from "civilized culture." The object of the week at West Point is to bring student delegates from different universities all across the country to discuss the relevance of ethics in relation to campus life and honor codes. The Army's code is simple: a cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate anyone who does. Beyond this of course there are other codes of dress and etiquette, but this is foundational and carved in stone on the academy grounds. Staring at this stone I reflected on how counter this is to the way most of our society lives each day as lying, cheating, and stealing are quite normal and even more so we seem to all be guilty of tolerating these things. In my time on the high peaks of the world I have seen people go back on their word, promise one thing and deliver something horrible and deceitful in its place. I have seen lives jeopardized and lost due to lack of integrity and ethics. Something seemingly so simple as giving care to someone in need, is withheld for the glory of standing upon a summit. We depend on each other, and the amount on which we can depend is related to the degree by which we are all willing to live by a common code of ethics. My code comes from the Bible and the belief that God has given us a perfect plan by which to live, the only problem with the plan: us.

Perhaps we can't change the ethic of a society around us, but we can influence the ethic of the team we choose to lead, the team which we support, or the team we have yet to build, but it starts with a foundation of moral and ethical character that seeks to transform those who are willing to build upon it.

I know myself to well to think that I would be the bright light in this place and was thankful to have had the opportunity to listen in to various talks given by Colonels, Generals, White House Correspondents, Writers, Counselors to the President, and Rocket Scientists just to name a few, and the wisdom that they have gained over the years as they have led and failed, Led and learned. Led and succed (succeeded I know).

Having heard from these leaders and from the student leaders I was refreshed and re-energized knowing that there are people who care and feel the same way as I do. That we do have a social obligation to serve in our communities; to seek out of concern change, having a vision to transform our surroundings for the better as we can; that charcter is important for our survival; and that we become our habits, so we should put forth every effort to seek truth knowing well that our thoughts become speech which lead to action going on to habit which forms our character and becomes our destiny. This looks good lest we forget we are not divine and we will fail to manage this sequence of destiny. In seeking truth we seek God, and in finding him we find forgiveness - a loving gift that we can accept knowing that we need to forgive. As leaders we need to look beyond the rules and codes knowing that failure is as large a part of success as is living by the code.

Leadership lessons from West Point

The symposium is called the National Conference on Ethics in America and takes place at West Point Military academy in New York. I was invited to share some of my ideas on the subject of ethics especially as they relate to sports and more specifically climbing high peaks. I have climbed in numerous countries around the world and have been challenged by cultural interpretations of ethics and how they change in direct proportion to the distance one is from "civilized culture." The object of the week at West Point is to bring student delegates from different universities all across the country to discuss the relevance of ethics in relation to campus life and honor codes. The Army's code is simple: a cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate anyone who does. Beyond this of course there are other codes of dress and etiquette, but this is foundational and carved in stone on the academy grounds. Staring at this stone I reflected on how counter this is to the way most of our society lives each day as lying, cheating, and stealing are quite normal and even more so we seem to all be guilty of tolerating these things. In my time on the high peaks of the world I have seen people go back on their word, promise one thing and deliver something horrible and deceitful in its place. I have seen lives jeopardized and lost due to lack of integrity and ethics. Something seemingly so simple as giving care to someone in need, is withheld for the glory of standing upon a summit. We depend on each other, and the amount on which we can depend is related to the degree by which we are all willing to live by a common code of ethics. My code comes from the Bible and the belief that God has given us a perfect plan by which to live, the only problem with the plan: us.

Perhaps we can't change the ethic of a society around us, but we can influence the ethic of the team we choose to lead, the team which we support, or the team we have yet to build, but it starts with a foundation of moral and ethical character that seeks to transform those who are willing to build upon it.

I know myself to well to think that I would be the bright light in this place and was thankful to have had the opportunity to listen in to various talks given by Colonels, Generals, White House Correspondents, Writers, Counselors to the President, and Rocket Scientists just to name a few, and the wisdom that they have gained over the years as they have led and failed, Led and learned. Led and succed (succeeded I know).

Having heard from these leaders and from the student leaders I was refreshed and re-energized knowing that there are people who care and feel the same way as I do. That we do have a social obligation to serve in our communities; to seek out of concern change, having a vision to transform our surroundings for the better as we can; that charcter is important for our survival; and that we become our habits, so we should put forth every effort to seek truth knowing well that our thoughts become speech which lead to action going on to habit which forms our character and becomes our destiny. This looks good lest we forget we are not divine and we will fail to manage this sequence of destiny. In seeking truth we seek God, and in finding him we find forgiveness - a loving gift that we can accept knowing that we need to forgive. As leaders we need to look beyond the rules and codes knowing that failure is as large a part of success as is living by the code.

Climbing Blind in Africa

Recently I went on my third trip to Africa and my third ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro. On the previous two ascents I was able to stand upon the 19,340' foot summit of Uhuru peak, guiding large groups with members of various abilities and disabilities. On this trip, however, I found a greater joy. The joy was found not in the summit, but in serving a team that would summit without me. This team was made up of 10 students ages 15 to 20, three of these students being totally blind and one having a visual impairment. Eight out of ten of the students made it to the summit, all of the blind and visually impaired students stood atop the roof of Africa. For me, it was more fun to climb with this team to 18,000' and then retreat with the two students who were in need of my help, then listen over the radio for the shouts of joy from those who had made the summit including my co-leader Casey who had never been to Africa. I made the decision that the members of the team who were still climbing were all strong and doing well should continue, Casey with them, and make her first summit instead of turning back as had been our protocol. I could have bragged of how I led these students to the summit, as if carrying them, but the truth is they got themselves and each other to the top and can be the ones to brag that they did it without me. Now I can brag on them for their success, and delight in the joy of giving an opportunity to someone else. After all that is what this climb was all about - opportunities. Some would say it was the hardest thing they had ever done, others that it was a lifetime high - and not just in terms of elevation. My view of our success, was that all came home in good shape having learned the importance of teamwork and reliance on others. As for the team and their view: This is what the students had to say about standing on the Roof of Africa in 2007:

Anna - It was really challenging, but we made it.

Alysha (Blind) - One of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done.

Brad - The most physically challenging thing I have ever done, but worth everything we had put into it.

Max - The culmination of my being.

Terry (Blind) - I never thought I would have been standing here today!

Kyle (Blind) - It is still hard to believe.

Charlotte - I really wish I had not been too sick to climb, but I am glad the majority was able to make it.

Justin (Visually Impaired) - Indescribable!

Ryan - It is a beautiful but tough mountain. It is a good teacher.

Jill - When the going gets tough, the tough get going and that is what we did this morning on the mountain.

Casey - I am grateful to have had the opportunity to climb such a beautiful Mt with such an amazing group of people, I only wish everyone could have been up there for the summit experience. I am truly inspired.

Eric - I am proud of the efforts that everyone gave today, pushing through the cold night supporting each other like a great team does, pushing themselves to new limits. The way they were going you would never have guessed the mountain is 19,340' and nearly half of them couldn't see.

Please look at the daily dispatches which are posted on the global explorers website - www.globalexplorers.org