Translation of values

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      I used to own an antiquarian bookshop in Redlands, buying and selling old and unusual books and autographs. I would regularly happen across something entirely unique—I couldn't find records of any similar copies having sold at auction, in booksellers' catalogs, or online. Whatever it was—book, manuscript, or artifact—it presented a challenge of translation. How did the language of its intrinsic value translate to a numeric, monetary language? Because as a merchant, I needed to "find a new home" for the item (in other words, sell it). But the language of an [unusual] object's intrinsic value has no obvious translation to a numeric system. One is a language of feeling, of memory, of beauty or inspiration; the other a language of numbers (and the mantle of power that accompanies money). What was it worth monetarily? I had to decide if I were to offer it for sale. I could describe how special it was, how important it was, how rare it was, but none of these things translate easily to dollars and cents? The value of stuff is often determined in comparison to other like items—this is true for everything that is bought and sold. But without these comparisons, it's that much more difficult to make the translation.

     What most interests me nowadays are other kinds of translations, like what is the value of building a  trail to an overlook? What is the value of preserving a pristine swath of nature? What is the value of going on a walk with a friend, or alone, in a place of beauty? Thankfully, there's no need to place a hard numeric value on these things. None of them have to be translated to anything—they can simply be left as we find them, mysterious and moving. What I am up to, these days, is immensely different from my former work, it is seeking ways to entice the giving heart in others (more on that to come)....and finding it in myself.

       I woke early this morning, concerned for the success my 24n24. I was pondering "what if after all this preparation, writing this blog, speaking to everyone her uncle about it, as it were, tooting my horn in hopes that people will support me through giving to The Wildlands Conservancy, what if only a very few people are moved to contribute?" But I cannot make the success of one thing (the run itself) depend on the success of the other (philanthropy for TWC). It does matter, of course...it matters a lot to me that my Epic4Epic experiment is a success. But it also doesn't matter, because I won't hang its success on how much is generated, or how many contribute. And as far as climbing 24 peaks within 24 hours is concerned, I set out to challenge myself on the 24n24. I know I am becoming a better man, and truer friend because of it—this is neither diminished nor increased by how much or how little much money I generate for the Conservancy. It is an experiment of sorts, to find out how this Epic4Epic thing works (not just how well it works). And it's an adventure.

       I think here of you, dear reader, and wonder: What's your next adventure, your upcoming Epic? I wish you were here now, to tell me about it.