Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake, Life and Death

Today my wife and I left the kids (don’t worry, they were taken care of) and we drove over Trail Ridge Road outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Trail Ridge Road is well renowned as is the “highest continuous motorway in the United States” with more than eight miles lying above 11,000′ and a maximum elevation of 12,183.

Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake, Snow on Pass

This particular mountain pass is ONLY open in the summer months and can be a harrowing drive for anyone afraid of heights, or more aptly put, afraid of death. As you can see, even today in the middle of June, there is plenty of snow up here, and it just so happens that the rain turned to a light snow even on our drive over. Our government makes a good faith effort to “protect” us from harm in so many ways, some of which actually contribute to our well being without removing our freedoms. Most of our nation’s mountain roads have clearly defined guard rails and/or barrier systems to keep one from accidentally (or perhaps otherwise) driving off the side of the road to their peril.

Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake, Alpine Visitor Center

To my wife’s incredible dismay, this particular “motorway” has practically NO guard rails, and for the most part there is not even a shoulder on the road. As you drive, you and your vehicle are literally inches from careening thousands of feet down a steep drop off to your own death, no thanks to your vivid imagination. As my wife buries her head and covers her eyes, I realize that just as in life and death, with every potential for adversity, there is incredible opportunity. In this particular case, it is being so close to death and yet having the ability to fully experience and appreciate the magnificence around me, the view of one of the most breathtaking mountain ranges in the world.

We were not short of nature and all of its beauty today, for in our short drive over Trail Ridge Road, we observed a beaver, a gorgeous Moose, and a Bull (also known as a male elk) with a large rack wading through the stream. Perhaps these symbols were there just to remind us that there is beauty to be seen everywhere you look, if we would only open your eyes and welcome that beauty to enter, even when we are in the midst of the most traumatic situations.

Trail Ridge Road, Colorado, Grand Lake, Elk Buck

You are able to observe the juxtaposition of life and death in this one single miraculous moment, giving you yet again one more opportunity to express appreciation for the life before you, for the choices you have made, and the world manifested around you. You are humbled by the life you have yet to live, and the opportunities you have yet to face. We so quickly ignore the fact that our life can end at any time, in any moment, for there is no guarantee that you will be cast in tomorrow’s matinee performance.

In the Manual for Living, Book One, I have an entire chapter dedicated to the concept of living in fear of death, and in truth it actually defeats the very purpose for which we live. We cannot fear death, but instead we must desire life, to be consistent with our reason for being, our path and our purpose in life. You must let yourself see and experience the true beauty around you so that you can remember why you are here, and as such reconnect with the beauty and magnificence that exists deep within yourself. Your life may be shorter than you think, for you do not have the liberty of taking anything for granted. Now is the time to make the decisions that will bring you happiness, that will allow you to be of service to others, and that will bring you fulfillment in every area of your life.

You can consciously step into your future, as you see it, as you desire it, and as you manifest it. Choose now, for there is no other moment available to you.

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  Andrea Zeller-Nield June 15, 2009 at 10:53 am

  David: Thank you for your blog. It took back to a time as a child when my father drove our family on a road just like this one — may even have been the same road! I was too young to remember where we were, but I’ve never forgotten that feeling of being on the edge, scared to death & literally holding on to the edge of my seat yet enjoying the awesome scenery. Nature has a way of placing these powerful parables in our midst. I’ve learned to observe and listen along my journey – the lessons amazingly present themselves as needed along the way. Synchronicity at its best! enjoyed your blog.