Allow me to introduce myself, I am known by the names of Peter, given to me by my parents and after my great great grandfather, and Tragamite (Trag), a name I created as a character and have carried with me for almost 40 years as of this post. Where biblically Peter means rock, Tragamite was also derived from a rock, stalagmite. I have often felt affiliated more with earth than any other element, despite being a water sign, Pisces.
I found my way along the road of Jediism, while contemplating such things as death as I served in the army in Iraq. I had lost a number of brothers and was suffering from survivals guilt. As I considered the idea of heaven and nothingness, neither appealed or really even made sense to me. I happened to see Yoda discussing death and rejoining the Force. I started researching the concepts and ideas around the Force. The idea of my energy being transformed from its form of keeping my body alive to dispersing throughout the universe feels like something I need to pay attention to. Where my consciousness would join a collective of other consciousnesses within the Cosmic Force, where I might still be contacted and have contact with those residing in the Living Force, makes sense in my head.
After a number of years, building my own path, I wondered if anyone else had ever considered the Jedi philosophy as a real life practice. I conducted a search on the Internet and found that people have been legitimately working to be real life Jedi since the 1990's.
As new works are put out for entertainment, I look to the deeper lessons of who I should be as a Jedi, student of the Force. A Jedi maintains an open mind and seeks knowledge. It doing so I find what makes sense to my path and apply it. That which doesn't make sense doesn't mean it's wrong, just that it may not apply to me. I enjoy hearing what others have taken and applied to their journey. This allows me to consider what does not makes sense to my path but might to another.
I believe a Jedi's path is a solitary one. Though you will cross many others on your path, no two people travel exactly the same path. Thus we must consider and accept other's on their own journey without judgement or prejudice. If we don't agree with anothers path, ask the questions that make you both think, consider, contemplate, and realize truth so that you might become the best version of yourself. Maybe your perspective is the one someone has been waiting to hear to make changes happen.
Today, August 9, 2025, my friend Brian and I navigated a 15 mile trail from Vivian Park to Utah Lake. This course started within Provo canyon as we walked along the Provo River towards Utah Lake. We passed the renowned Bridal Veil Falls on our trek and while we took moments to appreciate the beautiful area and the nature of the trail, this endeavor was about endurance and persistence.
We set out around 10 am with a goal to complete the trail around 3 pm. We were prepared with water, a 1st aid kit, sunblock, and sheer will to complete the course. For a couple of weeks I have been dealing with a pain in my right foot that I was concerned was going to be an issue throughout the walk but thankfully it barely presented itself. A couple of steps in the early going was really the only point that I felt that particular pain.
After the first 3 miles I felt something like a sliver in my left foot so as we took a break I checked my sock and shoe and couldn't find anything that was poking my foot, so I put my shoe back on and we pushed on. Initially that pain seemed to go away, but as we proceeded for the last 5 miles it seemed to have gotten worse. Once we completed the trek, I removed my shoe and sock and found a half inch blister had formed. It was the only blister that I developed so I felt pretty good about that.
The blister wasn't the only pain I pushed through, as I also had to endure discomfort in my hips in the first half, as well as knee discomfort as we pushed through the second half. My hips, hamstrings, and calves all burned after the ten mile mark and we did need to take a couple of moments to stretch or rest before pressing on.
At the halfway point, Brian asked if we should break the trail into two events or finish out the course. I elected to press on, so we continued onward. The day was cooler than it has been with a slight overcast which definitely helped as we didn't have to deal with the driving heat of the sun. Even still, I feel like my skin got its fill of UV even with the sunscreen on.
The path was paved and relatively flat, a few elevation shifts but nothing too extreme. We had to share the path with bicyclers, runners, and other walkers as much of the canyon part proved to be very crowded. As we exited the canyon there was far less traffic for the 2nd 3rd of the trail. On the final 3rd there did seem to be more traffic, though I still feel less than through the canyon.
I did have to motivate myself more than a few times to finish out the final three miles. My walking muscles were burning and aching, reminding me that they were still there and useful to me in life. As we got closer to the end, I noticed how much I wanted it to be over, so I instead began to appreciate the nature around me. Realizing that no matter how much pain I endure in life there is always time to stop and smell the flowers.
I began looking at the trees and the way the bark had fallen away from some. Bark is the protective “skin” of a tree, and losing even small amounts could be detrimental to the life of the tree. I noticed the river and its points of rapids and calmness. This reminded me that there are times we must act fast, and others when we should take our time. I noticed the wildlife, bugs that had met their fate upon the path, still other bugs were there working to consume the shell in the ultimate depiction of the cycle of life.
I did not meet my fate on the path, I met my destiny as Brian and I completed the trail course and celebrated the accomplishment. On this path Brian did not suffer the same pains I did, but he too suffered. The path is an individual one as no one will understand the way I do. No one will feel the pains that I do. No one will know the truth that I do. Still, we don't walk the path alone. People cross our path, or walk a similar one, but it is not experienced the same, and the truth of it is our own. I am grateful that I have the ability to accomplish this task, still I am humbled by the effort it took.
I am a Jedi, and I will face the trials placed before me with courage, discipline, determination, and humility. I am a Jedi, and the Force is with me, always.