Glaciers are formed when more snow collects than the amount of snow that melts. Typically glaciers form in polar mountainous regions (these photos were taken at Denali). Some of the glaciers here were estimated to be over 3,500 feet deep, based on the known height of the mountains and how much of that mountain remains exposed. This snow is compacted over the years and gravity drags the glacier downhill. Eventually the glacier must navigate a corner and the stress from this glacial curve cracks the formerly smooth surface. I was pondering how much life can resemble a glacier.
The snow collects. As the experiences of our lives collect, the beautiful smooth surfaces form something that looks like a path or a road. We can easily see what is ahead and what is behind. Sometimes we even believe that navigating the path looks easy.
The snow gets deeper. As we grow older and more mature, the experiences of our lives – both positive and negative –pile on top of one another. The accumulating snow on the glacier compacts from the weight. It gets deeper – a sometimes uncomfortable but usually tolerable state – and stronger.
The glaciers crack. As life surprises us with unimaginable challenges, the glacier turns a corner and the stress of the ice against the rock cracks the glacier. The rock always wins. Sometimes we feel the cracks are a breaking us. Although cracks in life are definitely painful, they’re also quite necessary to relieve the stress, to navigate the path. Cracks allow flexibility and reformation; the glacier is not broken because of these cracks.
Knowing that my cracks occur in the close company of the Rock makes navigating glacial curves just a little more worthwhile.
The snow gets deeper. As we grow older and more mature, the experiences of our lives – both positive and negative –pile on top of one another. The accumulating snow on the glacier compacts from the weight. It gets deeper – a sometimes uncomfortable but usually tolerable state – and stronger.
The glaciers crack. As life surprises us with unimaginable challenges, the glacier turns a corner and the stress of the ice against the rock cracks the glacier. The rock always wins. Sometimes we feel the cracks are a breaking us. Although cracks in life are definitely painful, they’re also quite necessary to relieve the stress, to navigate the path. Cracks allow flexibility and reformation; the glacier is not broken because of these cracks.
Knowing that my cracks occur in the close company of the Rock makes navigating glacial curves just a little more worthwhile.
Lovelovelove the thoughts expressed here.
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