Peaks and Lovely Valleys

This is an essay about two things.  First, the path toward a Peerage, and second, if that is really where you want to be going :)

Let's go back to the old analogy of the mountain.  So, yes, there is a mountain to climb to get a Peerage.  There are many paths to that mountain, and many ways to climb it.  Some go alone.  Some circle for years.  Reaching the top is a thing.  

However.  The top of the mountain is not always where everyone ends up.  The SCA is a huge place, with a ton of options.  Sometimes exploring the valleys can be the very best.  Remember that the idea of the SCA is to have fun.  If your version of having fun does not including mountain climbing, THAT'S OKAY.  

Sometimes the most fun I have had in the SCA is when I go to events and just camp in a field with my friends.  I didn't volunteer, I didn't do A&S, I just camped in a field. 

GUESS WHAT. THAT IS OKAY.  Not just okay, having fun is in the plan.  Having fun is the whole point.  If you are having fun, then you are doing the SCA right.  

Other days, I have climbed the mountain.  I have taught classes all day.  I have gotten my hung-over butt out of bed at 7am to be on the field to do water bearing. And it was awesome.  I had an amazing time.  All I wanted was to do that, again! Because doing service, or A&S, or whatever, filled me with joy.  

Of course there are times when you have to drag yourself to do camp chores, or quarterly reports.  I know those things are important, and an essential part of the SCA.  They are the swampy mires for me, full of annoying mosquitoes and soggy boots.  I am willing to transverse them to get back to exploring the huge universe that the SCA presents.  

It is also totally okay to fail, to switch paths, or to just plain turn around.  Greatness is not achieved without risk, and sometimes risk pays off, other times it leads to a dead end.  It is a sign of maturity to be able to recognize a dead end, and find a new way. There are many things in this world that are more important than fun SCA time.  I have turned aside from paths I really loved for my family, for graduate school, and for my boyfriend.  Maybe someday I will find my way back to those places, and maybe I won't.  

In addition, there is always another, higher peak out there.  Sometimes finding your way up one of them is good, but it just gives you perspective to see how many more you can climb.  That view can be really daunting, but it can also be incredibly inspiring.  I know when I was made a Laurel, I thought I had found the top of the range, but I was wrong.  There is so much further to go, and so many intimidating people have walked those paths.