Pursuing the Heart by Lucas Houston

Do I respect my time? Am I living intentionally? What am I seeking from each day? These questions may be perceived differently, but can relate in all. This course has helped me realize that I should be asking myself these questions – even after its completion. If it was a regular summer day at home, there’s a strong chance that I might never have even gotten around to asking even one of them. Yet, with four sections in this program, here I am questioning myself after not even five days. Being from Nashville, Tennessee, I have always dreamt of getting to see the Canadian Rockies and to experience the Crown of the Continent region. Growing up, I always tried to stay active by being outside and participating in extracurriculars like baseball and football. When I was six years old, my mom made the grave mistake of bringing me to Winter Park, Colorado, to snowboard. Ever since, I just couldn’t get enough of how insignificant those giant rocks had made me feel.

Being out here allows me to tap into my roots, and reminds me of what makes me happy and the importance of my values. Following my heart is very important to me. I am constantly reminded of those old days when I was little, when my dad and I would go on long walks that I called “hikes.” Or the times a bit later that I would spend with my little brother after school, adventuring through the woods, climbing trees and making forts, or examining coyote tracks in the dry river beds. I feel that in society today, many can struggle with the sense of identity, and might try to fill empty places with the wrong things. My thought is that some might not have the time or repertoire of experiences to remind them of their childhood and those special moments, on which brings out the true and happy self. Furthermore, why should following the heart be a bad thing? Most from my hometown conform to social norms or do what’s expected by staying close and seeing the same folks they’ve known for the last fifteen years. Or maybe it’s going to school somewhere else yet staying around the same group for four years. This opportunity allows you to take a chance, branch out, and discover. This was something that I just couldn’t let fall through my fingers right in front of me.

In the Crown of the Continent, we focus a lot on the environment and many different plants and animals. Learning about umbrella species like grey wolves or the grizzly bear is so intriguing to me because I feel as if I can relate to either a lone wolf or maybe a vagabond grizzly who just can’t seem to settle. Another thought is that humans should relate or compare themselves to the outdoors so much more than we do. Because humans are connected, and a part of nature… are we not?

It can seem that some lose sight of a greater picture; caught up with image on social media, or maybe on money in unison with a job and the hierarchy of systems. Out here, I am consistently reminded of my morals and my home, which let me focus on what’s important. We work from dawn to dusk and try to squeeze the last drop out of each day. When was the last time on a morning or afternoon when it felt like a single minute wasn’t wasted? Being respectful of my time is so important to my success, and Conservation Across Boundaries and being immersed in the Crown of the Continent allows me to see that to the fullest extent.

As soon as morning comes, water will be hot for breakfast; each day holds a new adventure and special feeling. Whether we are backpacking, on a day hike, or in a direct study, we learn or see something new. All parts of the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest and the Bob Marshall Wilderness look straight out of a storybook. Climbing over a mountain pass is hard work, but all worth the view. Essentially, looking at a Windows OS wallpaper background with my own two eyes will never get old for as long as I live. The pure blue of Renshaw lake and its rainbow trout will baffle anyone, but don’t stare for to long because the giant bald eagle soaring overhead won’t stop for nobody. Everything about this course emphasizes the ideals of Carpe Diem, or seize the day. I am so grateful for this course and the people in this program, as well as the type of thinking it encourages. I sincerely wish that everyone might have a similar opportunity at some point in this game we call life. Thank you.