Denali
The ocean can look very different, depending on whether you are standing at the shore, soaring above in a plane, or swimming beneath its waves. Likewise, a mountain can look very different relative to where you are standing. Each living thing sees the world from its unique vantage point. While from your window you may be seeing what looks like a huge shrub, a bird in its nest is getting an intimate view of that tree’s leafy interior. Meanwhile, a beetle sees only a massive and never-ending tree trunk. Yet all three of you are looking at the same tree.
Just as a shadow that is concealed from one point of view is easily seen from another, it is possible to miss a fantastic view. That is, unless you are willing to see what’s in front of you through different eyes. Seeing the world from another perspective, whether spatially or mentally, can introduce us to all sorts of hidden treasures. The root of the discovery process often lies in finding another way of looking at the world. The common human reaction to insects is one example. Spinning its web in a dark corner, a spider may seem drab, frightening, and mysterious. But seen up close weaving silver snowflakes between the branches of a tree, they can look like colored jewels.
Sometimes, there are experiences in life that from your vantage point may seem confusing, alarming, or worrisome. Or there may be events that look insignificant from where you are standing right now. Try seeing them from another point of view. Bury your face in the grass and look at the world from a bug’s vantage point. Explore your home as if you were a small child. Take a ride in a small aircraft and experience the world from a bird’s eye view. Just as kneeling down sometimes helps you see more closely when you are looking for lost treasure, so standing back will help you appreciate the broader picture of your life. In doing so, you’ll experience very different worlds.
When I visted Alaska several years ago, the weather had been rainy and cloudy for many weeks and Mt Denali (McKinley) had been hidden by the clouds. A friend and I were on a tour of Denali National Park, and the highlight was to see Denali. Denali means “the great one”
We saw moose and caribou parading in the parking lots, grizzlies sunning themselves on the hillsides, and some peeks of blue sky. We learned that the reindeer that guide Santas’ sleigh at Xmas are all pregnant, as reindeer loose their antlers by then, unless they are pregnant.
And no sight of Denali, which is not really unusual, as seeing Mt Denali is unusual. My son lived in Alaska on the Copper River for 5 years and never sighted Denali on his treks from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Copper Center.
We made our way on the tour bus to the overlook of Denali, and all we saw was clouds obscuring the horizon. Sigh…disappointment from everyone. On the way back down, we saw immense valleys, sharp drop offs that tumble to valley floors a thousand feet below us, and the weave of the rivers.
As this day progressed, the sun started peaking through the clouds and glimpses of the mountain range starting appearing from the clouds. Would Denali appear?
Rounding a bend in the road, a glimpse of a large mountain appeared…could it be Denali? “No”, said the tour guide “that is a range just before Denali, and I doubt we will sight Denali today.”
The Inspiration for The Denali Tiny Green Cabin
As we rounded the next bend, Denali finally arose from the clouds for that afternoon. It was huge! It was a magical time as our perspectives continually were changing as we drove out of Denali National Park with the realization that life also changes from different points as we awaken to our life’s journey.
At Tiny Green Cabins, we have learned to be open to possibilities and while we had a vision of a Denali Tiny Green Cabin, it alluded us! Until this week, then it sprang to life on the drafting board, just as if we had rounded the bend in the road and sighted Denali.
