Kunanyi was a source of contemplation during May and early June, as I admired the evolving view over the course of each day. I wondered if being so starkly exposed to ongoing variation helps us to embrace change.
Watching the varying mood of the mountain triggered me to hum a favourite tune from The Pretenders: Hymn to Her. In particular I always loved the line "Some things change, some stay the same." The song was actually written by Meg Keene, a high school friend of Pretenders' lead singer Chrissie Hynde.
Kunanyi is ancient. 1271m of rock forced upwards 40 million years ago. It is immovable, almost unchangeable, although of course the forces of nature are slowly moulding it over time.
Kunanyi's aspect can change in an instant. Clouds, mists, sunlight or snow. A few days after I left Hobart the SES were rescuing hikers from the mountain after a freak blizzard blasted it with strong icy wind blasts and snow.
Our own circumstances are like that too. Change is generally slow and we don't notice our progress. In contrast our outlook can change in an instant. Some positive feedback, a new goal, a breakthrough. Perhaps even just a moment with our eyes closed visualising the change we seek, or reliving change around us. This can have a significant impact on our mood and energy.
Refreshing our energy and outlook is important in any form of recovery or change. I know from personal experience - reinforced by watching my mum's recent experience - just how important those step changes can be. A new hospital creating opportunity for a different outlook and reinforcing that sense of progress. Getting home to the things you treasure that fuel your soul.
It is why research encourages us to change our workspaces or other settings in our life to stimulate our energy. Here is a short and clear article that may help change your state of mind written by Abigail Bassett
Sometimes we have less capability of changing that outlook. The step-change we covet gets delayed and feels like it might never come. My best tip in these circumstances is to look for the smallest changes and note them, whether that is simply gazing on a view that constantly evolves like Kunanyi, or noting the other progressions around us and knowing that eventually, with focus, our change will come.