Ruminator

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography (https://www.instagram.com/timothybme/) This morning I was able to cross off a mini-bucket list item.  I have always wanted to hike on the Adventure Hiking Trail (AHT) and today I achieved that with my good friend Mark. We met in the parking lot by the guard shack at the entrance to the park.  We took a moment to greet each other and both of us tried to decide to wear a jacket or not.  Mark loves to drive and since he has a Jeep I was okay with him hauling us to our starting point.  I loaded my gear in his Jeep, climbed in and we headed off. As Mark turned onto Cold Friday Road I felt my excitement level begin to rise as I had been looking forward to this hike for a long time.  The road, though paved was very bumpy and curvy.  It was littered with debris.  Not man-made debris but the kind only Mother Nature could provide.  The Jeep crushed branches, it road over leaves and small rocks, and we seemed to feel every puddle and pothole as we descended the

Photo copyright people.com This morning I took an hour hike at Mt. St. Francis.  This always seems to be my home base, as it is located close to me, I’m familiar with the trails and I just feel at peace there.  Today I needed some peace. I try my hardest not to get drawn into political rhetoric, but it is everywhere I turn.  I follow certain celebrities, athletes, photographers and musicians on various forms of social media.  I follow each person for a certain and personal reason.  If one of these people says or does something I disagree with, it is simple, I unfollow them.  I wish life was that easy.  If we could only unfollow people, media, topics that we didn’t like or agree with. I have spent some time watching the Winter Olympics as I am a follower of a few athletes that are completing.  One such athlete is Lindsey Vonn.  Lindsey is considered “old” for her sport and has recently made an unbelievable comeback from her leg/knee injury.  This 33-year-old woman has had a host of inju

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography Today’s journey was one of solitude though I was not alone.  I hiked with my good friend Kristin and my other friend Matthew.  Today’s hike was at O’Bannon Woods State Park. I arrived at the Nature Center early, as I often do, and decided to go inside while waiting.  I was surprised to see someone was there working.  I chatted about my upcoming trek and was educated on what types of animals I might see in the coming months there.  I was specifically interested to find out that the only poisonous snake I might encounter in the future is the copperhead.  Though not aggressive they still can ruin my day if bitten.  I spent a few moments looking at the copperhead, cottonmouth, and rattlesnake behind the glass, then went outside to meet my friends. I had planned to hike the Tulip Trail to the Campground, then work our way over to the Rocky Ridge Trail, hike that loop and return to the cars.  All total around 3 miles.  The temperature was perfect for me (aro

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography (https://www.instagram.com/timothybme/) I am loyal to a fault.  Throughout my life, I have taken on other problems as my own.  In 2007 a significant event happened in my life wherein I started turning inward and did more self-analyzing instead of sharing my feelings and innermost thoughts with others.   As I approach 50 years old I realize this is maybe not the best way to do things but is by far the safest for me.  As my previous blog mentioned I have taken a good hard look at my ‘friends’ and have realized that I have only a treasured few.  Most of them are more defined as acquaintances.  Taking on other problems has caused me stress, self-inflicted, but stress none the less.  I am trying to change.  I am loyal to people which is a wonderful trait.  Sometimes it is to the point of toxicity.   This loyalty is often used against me to the point that the relationships for me become toxic.  I am deciding to move on in relationships that are not in my bes

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography Today I needed a recharge.  Not of any electronic device I own but of my mind and soul.  I was scheduled to hike on Saturday but that got canceled due to rain and Sunday also looked like it might be in jeopardy, but alas I made the decision to go and did. My hike began in 37 degrees, overcast gray skies.  The recent ice has melted (mostly) and the recent rains left the trails a sloppy mess, but I didn’t care.  I need this.  Today’s journey took me three miles around Mt. St. Francis.  A place I consider my sanctuary.  As I arrived I noticed that I was the only car in the entire parking lot, so my obvious discovery of isolation only heightened my senses. I grabbed my normal gear; backpack, wallet, car keys, hat, and of course my camera, and I headed out.  I was walking into a headwind that reminded me of the cool breeze you get from a fan or air conditioner on a hot summer day.  I was in my element and that cold breeze began the process of recharging me.

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography This year has been all about change for me.  As I approach the age of 50 I am realizing more and more what is truly important to me and what are just wants and desires.  I am finally also realizing what a waste of energy is for me.    That waste comes in the form of social media, energy spent on worry and even people in my life. First, there are social media.  I took a break from Facebook for a few weeks but went back with the goal in mind to remove those who post negative posts.  My ‘friends’ on Facebook as drastically decreased and I am okay with that.  I now focus less of my time on Facebook, but when I do it is to look at other photographer’s work on the groups I belong too and keep up with people that are important to me. Next is wasted energy on worry.  My wife and I began the Dave Ramsey budget plan in January.  We account for every dollar and plan for every dollar.  We have a game plan to get out of debt and for the first time in my life, I see

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography I feel sometimes I am a robot.  I have been programmed to follow the herd.  Society dictates how I feel, think and act.  But I can be reprogrammed. Today I attended a session at work that focused on focusing on the positives in your life, not the negatives as so many people do like me.   Growing up I was taught to focus on my lower grades in school, focus on things I was doing wrong and even perceived negatives on my health and appearance.    Today’s session taught me 5 steps to help change my thinking and ultimately my outlook on life. First, it was advised to establish a gratitude ritual.  I am to write down three new things I am thankful for each day.  There were no criteria listed.  It could be something simple like it is cold outside and I am thankful, or something much deeper and more meaningful.  I already have many thoughts flowing through my head, and will begin this process tomorrow. Second, start a gratitude journal.  Similar to the first on

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography The root of the term colonized or colonized mind goes back to the British and settlement of races especially those of Native Americans when they came to America.  Following the colony rule and believing that any race but the British race is inferior is the concept of the term.  To me, I chose the colonized mind as my blog title because I feel the term to me means I have been colonized to a belief and way of thinking based on society.  For me, it has nothing to do with race. I was raised in society to believe that I must do certain things, think certain ways, believe certain things and act a certain way.  Individualism was encouraged but only if it fit in the norm of society. I consider myself a Catholic and was raised that way.  I was raised to attend church every Sunday and every Holy Day.  I was taught the Bible was 100% accurate and every word in it as fact.  I never really felt like that was the best path for me.  In college, I studied other religi