I'm feeling a call-to-action

"Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

View of the Shenandoah National Park on the fire on Feb. 19, 2011

I think everyone has this conflict within themselves with thinking and action that Wolfgang von Goethe described. I view this conflict similar to hiking without the knowledge of which color blaze to follow.

One color, lets say blue, looks promising, and seems from a distance to be easier. You can see the end of the trail from where you stand and your surroundings stay the same. This trail, in my opinion, is similar to thinking an idea or talking about an idea, but not having one of the following in the mix: time, energy, resources, desire to pursue.

The other, white, looks to have a steep incline from where you are standing, and no end that you can see. You have no idea where this trail leads. This trail, in my opinion, is similar to hearing a call-to-action.

Before I reveal what I believe my current call-to-action is let me provide you with some background information. The Shenandoah National Park was hit hard by wildfire that consumed about 2,000 acres and caused the park service to close part of the Skyline Drive.

This is a picture taken on Feb. 20, 2011, of The Shenandoah National Park on fire.

As of Feb. 23, 2011, The Shenandoah National Park is reporting, in the North District of Shenandoah the Skyline Drive between Front Royal and Rt. 211 is closed. They have closed the following trails until further notice: Mt. Marshall Trail from Skyline Drive to the intersection at the Bluff Trail; Appalachian Trail between Compton Gap and the Browntown Trail; Lands Run Gap Fire Road; and the Jenkins Gap Trail.

My idea, once the park is safe, is to help reconstruct the Appalachian Trail from Compton Gap and the Browntown Trail along with organizations at Shenandoah University and other community organizations and possibly the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Not only do I find this essential to preserving our environment for future generations to explore, but I believe this is the perfect opportunity to take some pride in our home land.

Reply to this post or e-mail me at kmitchel@su.edu if you are interested in helping.

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