Good day Fisher.
Good day to the rest of you.

I felt empowered to sit down this evening and respond to some of the
comments that have been made here on the board. First and foremost I
commend you Fisher for your frankness, and honesty. I can understand
how some people have an overpowering feeling of fear of going-out
alone, unguarded from the tribulations that can sneak up on us as a
cold breeze on a moonlit night. But what you are asking is an honest
question and I think a feeling that many do, or have, experienced.

I do not believe that I could have said it better than Hoope was able
to, and I would listen to her suggestions. I too strongly believe
that we cannot live our lives fulfilled and with satisfaction if we
hide and cower from the 'darkness' and 'shadows' that this world
carries. If we were to even being to do that we would never be able
to leave our homes, for example if I walked out this very moment
there could indeed be a car that would hit me as I crossed the
street. Instead we live our lives as just thatours. I believe and I
am sure that many others here believe that letterboxing brings more
fulfillment into this precious life that we have. So I would
encourage you to not let such an outstanding gift to yourself go
unnoticed or fall to the wayside.

Why do we enjoy letterboxing so much? Why do we overcome some of our
fears to take up this hobby? I am reminded every day that I am able
to step into the forest what I have experienced over and over again.
Peace, harmony, togetherness, and the wonders of nature. I recall
something that was written some time ago about my `spiritual'
experience of being out `there', and because I have a Tribal Native
heritage I become somewhat symbolic so I ask that you bear with me
for a moment.

"As I slowly walk in this warm-blooded, vibrant, lush, green forest
fragrant with the scents of cedar, pine and a plethora of flowers all
tenderly kissing my senses, I inhale the pungent, pleasing scent of
earth enfolding me in Mother Earth's loving embrace. All that
surrounds me pulsates and ripples with the melodious rhythms of life.

As I stand contemplatively in the midst of this unending beauty, my
senses pause, absorbing the exotic, intoxicating, beauty of it all.
As I see sister cedar tree I feel her spiritual heartbeat bursting
with rich, robust life. I feel that she is strong and happy. Gazing
at her I see her uncompromising strength, her magnificent size speaks
to my soul telling me she has stood sentinel here for many, many
moons.

Listening to all of Mother Earths voices, I hear my feathered
relations singing and nesting, bringing new life forth from the
safety of sister cedars luxuriant hair. Her sweet, gently spirit
speaks to my soul of spiritual freedom and honoring of what the true
nature of our world is. "Protect and treasure it" are the words and
feelings flowing into my soul that sister cedar has spoken to me.

Breathing deeply of the acoustically scented air, the sacred cedar's
breath calms, cleanses, blesses and bolsters my spirit, giving me
clarity of thought and renews my inner being.

As I ask myself what can I do to preserve this feeling that I have,
this calmness, this togetherness, this joy of being out away from all
of the stress, heartache, and pain of our modern world. The East wind
blows and you hear---Much--Much"

For me personally a part of that is letterboxing, it is a time that I
can enjoy the oneness and togetherness of ether myself, my friends,
or my family along with the world that is around me during those
moments. It is a time that I can take on a new task, and accomplish
it at my own pace without the pressures of daily life. Will I allow
my fear of the dangers of society conquer me? Hardly, and I am sure
none of us have that desire to ether, when we consider what will be
lost if we let it fall. Perhaps this is overly dramatic, and if you
feel that it has been so then I sincerely apologize. I am of the
opinion that sometimes we forget why we are letterboxing to begin
with, it is not about how many boxes we have found, how long we have
been doing it for. Or ever how many miles we have hiked uphill in the
snow both ways. Those things are not what it is about in my most
simple and heartfelt opinion. It is about getting back to things that
we enjoy, the simple pleasures of life, and the challenge of
conquering our fears even if that is stepping out our front door into
the unknown, and freeing our spirit.

I bid you all well in everything that you do.

Iron`Bear Taleon

I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

-- Invictus-- William Ernest Henley. 18491903

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Iron`Bear Taleon"
wrote:
>
> Why do we enjoy letterboxing so much? Why do we overcome some of
our
> fears to take up this hobby? I am reminded every day that I am
able
> to step into the forest what I have experienced over and over
again.
> Peace, harmony, togetherness, and the wonders of nature.

Yes, I feel the same way.

When I step into the forest and lose myself in its beauty and
splendor, it's as if the forest is speaking to me saying "Welcome
home!". It is where my soul feels most at peace.

CraftWoman

I highly recommend the book "The Gift of Fear" (sub title- "and other
survival signals that protect us from violence")by Gavin De Becker.

On the back it says:
"True Fear Is A Gift. Unwarranted Fear Is A Curse. Learn How To Tell
The Difference."

Copywrite 1997 - ISBN: 0-440-22619-8

"Knowledge is power. If you fear something- research it, learn more
about it & you can learn how to conquer it!" Scoutdogs

Scoutdogs
Aikido Black belt, Master of many weapons, ex-police officer, female