2,555 Days of Sit Spot and Counting:
A Naturalist’s Commitment
by Kamana Instructor Kat Koch
On January 31st, 2010, Max Allen, Kamana graduate and wildlife photographer, reached day 2,555 of going to his sit spot everyday. To be clear, that is 7 years… 7 years! It hasn’t all been at the same sit spot mind you, but every single day he has sat. And a lot can happen in 2,555 days. He has seen deer ford rivers, watched bobcats pass him by, and had a loggerhead shrike land on him while he walked through the forest.
It all began as a two-week challenge given to the young people he was mentoring. When one of his mentees, a boy named Cody, missed a couple of the days he came to Max saying he wanted another chance, and what he really desired was to do it everyday for a year. Upon reflection Max said, “Honestly I found even the suggestion of such a feat humorous, but I wanted to encourage Cody. I knew that it would have to be two people working on the same goal to push each other to even come close to a year in a row.
I spent a week thinking of possible partners for Cody, and troubleshooting each candidate.
In the end I realized that the only sure and safe choice would be myself. I was hesitant, because competition between mentor and student can end very badly. I didn’t see another option though, and decided that to attempt the challenge together would be the best way for Cody to succeed.”
Humorous though this task may have seemed, Max and Cody both surpassed their yearlong commitment.
Max says his success has a lot to do with the community around him, “I used to believe that having an active mentor or two, especially people who inspire you, were a great help to my personal journey. I still do believe this, but have found that I actually need a circle of people around me. With that in mind, I have been having an active group of 8 people advising me in my life for some time now. Each of these people inspire me in their own way.”
Along with these 8 there have been the special few over the years. “Norman Powell, better known as Ingwe, and his wife Elizabeth, have been some of the major inspirational figures in my life. I first began visiting Ingwe and Elizabeth with the children I worked with. Ingwe was a masterful storyteller, and an exceptional photographer. It was in my time looking through Ingwe’s photo albums and listening to his stories behind the photos that I decided I wanted to become a wildlife photographer.
In between visits, I sent letters with questions and stories of my adventures to Ingwe and Elizabeth. They were very supportive of my growth as a naturalist, teacher, and photographer. I still remain close with Elizabeth, and do my best to update her with my newest photos and stories at least once a month.”
Along with Ingwe and Elizabeth, the well-known tracker Mark Elbroch and bird photographer Arthur Morris have also influenced Max. “It always seems like Mark stays two steps ahead of me, no matter what I do. And, he is always there with a helping hand. Mark is a true role model for me as a biologist, and is always pushing me to do what I love during every moment I have on this earth. And Arthur Morris, he has an exceptional vision of the world, takes exquisite photos, and travels extensively. He has set his life up to live his bliss, and is a great role model for me as I try to do the same.”
When asked how he kept inspired along his journey, Max spoke of the journey itself keeping him motivated. “The difference of what I learn now on a daily basis is so far beyond what I learned in my first few years that it is quite amazing. Each day I know there is something out there for me to learn, and if I take the time to find it I will be richer for it.” He says graduating Kamana or doing 1,250 Shikari journals didn’t cause him to stop learning, they inspired him to learn more. It’s not the destination. It’s the journey.
And if all this talk hasn’t inspired you yet, listen to this, “My sit spot is such an integral part of who I am that I can’t really separate out what I have learned from it versus the rest of my life. I am hesitant to even try and name the wisdom I have gained. Instead I would point to the people whose lives I have touched, and say that was all possible because of my sit spot journey. It is really a knowledge of self and wholeness that I am after at this point, and my sit spot is integral to all of the knowledge I gain.”
And on behalf of all you Kamana students out there and those who have yet to come forward, I asked Max what kind of advice he could give to you. “First off, you have to truly believe that you can complete the journey. I’m not saying you have to complete the program, but you have to believe that you could if that is what you have your heart set upon. One of my closest friends finished Kamana 3, and decided that really wrapped up everything she was looking for. She was able to walk away with her head held high, and with great respect from me for knowing exactly what she wanted. That being said, I would set out to complete the program.”
Max believes that mentors are a key component to success. “I would suggest if someone really wants to get the most from the program they should find a local mentor to help them through it. Someone to keep them on task, and push them in areas they don’t want to be challenged in.”
Although Max believes in the importance of mentors, he also notes the importance of the individual. “One will get out of it what they put into it. I would suggest clarifying what you want from the program, and surrounding yourself with people who both believe in your ability to do it, and can support you to reach your goals.”
Max sees himself as just an ordinary guy, even amongst all his greatness and believes that anyone can do what he has done. “I think one of the main things that has driven me over the years is just wanting to show people that this is possible. I don’t think I would have believed it seven years ago, and honestly I probably would have been a bit in awe of anyone who could accomplish such a feat. But looking back on it now, I believe this possibility is out there for anyone who dreams of doing it.”
So we are going to help you get the chance to embark on such an epic journey as Max. April 10th begins the Kamana.org 30 Day Sit Spot Challenge. Join us as people from all over the world sit everyday for at least 20 minutes from April 10th to May 10th. Take this opportunity to jumpstart your Kamana journey. Who knows, our next article may be about you!
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