bonsai is like a beautiful mountain

[dick benbow]

when first we gaze at it, it is so beautiful. as we're drawn to it, closer and closer...we loose sight of the mountain in it's entirity. as we stand on it, we can see only small portion of it's magnificence. trudging along the never ending way towards the top, our view narrows to just the next step on the trail ahead. Do you think the view from the top will be just as glorious as when we first laid eyes on the mountain in the distance. Or is arriving on the pinnacle, only a dream.

 

[Poink88]

In this journey, as you get more into it, the view changes....but there is no pinnacle. IMHO

It is the surprise at every twist and turn of the trail that keeps us going. Sometimes, we hit a flat area...nothing but grass land and it could be boring but if you push on, the magic continues. Enjoy the journey...

 

[Attila Soos]

It's entirely up to us, what kind of experience we will encounter on the way. At the start, we are all the same, admiring the distant view. But once we get going, it becomes an individually unique journey. That's why some people quit, and others become master of the craft.

The difference is in the expectations that people have. Strong expectations will compromise reality and prevent people from enjoying what they have. No expectation will allow you to see life with fresh eyes and constant wonderment.
So, if you are climbing the mountain and you want to enjoy the journey, leave your expectations at home, while working hard towards your goal. If you do that, then every view will be exciting, and you don't have to worry about finding the "pinnacle". Because, at the end, it is obvious that there is no pinnacle. It is just one view following the next.

 

[dick benbow]

I appreciate both of your thoughts as you ponder the question. I love the lesson in the viewpoint.
away from it we see the picture, too close and we lose it.

 

[Vance Wood]

when first we gaze at it, it is so beautiful. as we're drawn to it, closer and closer...we loose sight of the mountain in it's entirity. as we stand on it, we can see only small portion of it's magnificence. trudging along the never ending way towards the top, our view narrows to just the next step on the trail ahead. Do you think the view from the top will be just as glorious as when we first laid eyes on the mountain in the distance. Or is arriving on the pinnacle, only a dream.

My wife and I just returned from a one month long driving tour of some of the Western States. One of the attractions we enjoyed was the Bear Tooth Highway, a two lane road that climbs a mountain to over nine-thousand feet. It weaves and it turns, it climbs and descends until you finally reach the summit where there is still remaining patches of snow. The view from the top is not often seen outside a seat in an airplane.

I am not sure how this relates to bonsai except in a metaphorical sense where imagining an end may or may not be more than the actual truth. The truth is; often the journey is more important than the destination. This is a case where the end is justified by the means. This too is often the discription of the journey to make a bonsai for many of us. Sometimes arriving at the pinnacle yields an image unlike the dream that demands a different route to find the desired ends.

 

[Ron Dennis]

Several years ago my wife and I were in Highlands, NC,our favorite retreat area. I decided I wanted to atttempt to hike up Whiteside Mountain. For someone with the heart and leg health issues I have this was a huge undertaking. Every step was difficult and made me wonder if I had lost touch with reality. My wife was positive this was the case!

Finally, we made it to the top of Whiteside and it was worth all the effort. Seeing Whiteside Falls up close and the unbelievable fall color was very special and memorable.

How am I relating this to bonsai? Simply that Whiteside is only 4,500 feet and in comparison with others it is a small mountain. There are so many other mountains to try to climb. IMO it is the journey that is important and the journey is most enjoyed when we tackle something difficult for us and we are not sure we can complete the journey but yet we try.