Temple Veil

Greetings to all,

One of the beautiful aspects of being on the road (and there are many) is meeting amazing people and taking in incredible new scenery every day. A couple days ago, in Billings, MT, we met a guy who offered to take us flying around the area for the afternoon in his private plane. After prepping the plane, we spent the next couple hours soaring over the Beartooth Mountains, the Yellowstone River, the Big Horn Mountains and River, Black Canyon, Custer’s Last Stand, etc., before returning to Billings just in time for sound check.

As depicted by the names “Beartooth” and “Big Horn”, these mountains are anything but gentle and smooth. In fact, the jagged terrain of these areas is responsible for the deaths of much wildlife and many humans each year. One careless move, and these rugged ridges will send even the most experienced hikers falling to their demise.

Flying at an altitude of 8,000 feet alongside the crest of these ranges; however, gave us an entirely new perspective, previously unattainable at ground level. From our new vantage point, the pitch of each peak seemed much less severe. Through the window of the small aircraft, we could easily discern the best possible land route for crossing over the mountains. We were able to effortlessly spot the dead ends and the debris along the trails, as well as the clear and open paths leading to the summit. The golden hue of gently rolling wheat fields in the opposite valley brightly glistened beyond the dark peaks. We were completely awestruck at the view of these magnificent mountains in their entirety.

While taking in this picturesque scene, I began thinking about the obstacles we’ve been facing recently as an artist as well as in just day to day living. These thoughts continued into thoughts of all of you and the many different obstacles each of you face in your own lives, whether it be in raising a family, or in facing a parent who doesn’t see eye-to-eye, whether it’s a difficult boss, or the complex logistics of self-employment, whether it’s a disability, or the financial burden that this economy has been taxing on nearly all of us. No matter the dreams, goals, and aspirations you are striving to reach, treacherous mountains are protruding on your path to achievement.

Just as the aerial perspective totally changed our outlook on the Beartooth and Big Horn Mountain Ranges, sometimes taking a step back and looking at the big picture of life can entirely change our perspective of the obstacles that are currently staring us in the face. By slowing down and backing away from the cliff that is hovering directly over us, we can then perceive and assess the situation in it’s entirety, thus revealing the clear path to take. Though the path is rarely ever easy and unforeseen circumstances nearly always occur, scoping things out and knowing where the path leads will undoubtedly help us to prepare and endure the rough stretches that we know we will encounter along the way. Let us all take a step back and soak up the breathtaking, panoramic view of our own lives this upcoming week. You may just so happen to see a clear cut road nearby the dead-end path you are currently struggling against that will lead you to the summit.

Brysson
DeRock

~Temple Veil