Like the experienced climbers of mountains, such as Everest, I know the value of setting up base camps. Base camps are established at locations part way up the climb, for climbers to acclimate to the altitude, gather supplies and wait for weather to clear for their final assault on the summit.
Sadly, some climbers and supplies never have a chance to make it past the base camps. They might have a great view of the distant peaks, but the weather conditions are never perfect enough continue further. So there they sit, day after day, waiting for their chance at glory. They have gone to all the trouble of bringing their freeze dried food and oxygen. Their gear and supplies are completely assembled and ready, but it will do them no good as they cool their heels half way up the mountain.
I've got several base camps set up at my house. They are deliberate stopping places for things I intend to sherpa on to their ultimate destinations. The corner of the kitchen counter, the top of the dryer, the dining room table, to name a few. The bottom step of our stairway seems to be the most frequently used camp. I set items there as I pick up around the house so that I can take them upstairs to their true resting places where they belong. Shoes, books, backpacks....neatly stacked and waiting. Sometimes, the items make it to the top of the steps and then have to wait at another base camp before continuing on. Tops of dressers, the end of the bed, the bathroom counter.
So close.....and yet so far.
The base camps serve an important purpose. These areas allow me to assemble miscellaneous items that need to be put away so I can be efficient with my efforts. Why make 5 trips up the stairs when one trip will do? The problem is, these camps are meant to be temporary, not permanent.
Today's Small Thing is to break down a base camp at your house. Take those items you've assembled and put down part way along the trek, and ferry them to the summit of their existence. The top of the world! Their destiny! The very places they belong.
I will tackle the corner of my desk, the bottom step and the edge of the counter today. Rather than taking those supplies half way and leaving them at yet another base camp until perfect conditions arrive, I will don my courage and make a final assault to victory!
Each!
POINTS: 20 per base camp disassembled, limit 4 (80 pts max)
Where are your base camps located?
