There is something about mountains that makes me stare in wonderment. They always seem so strong and wise. Perhaps it is because they are rooted deep into the earth and reach high into the sky, and have been in place for thousands of years, weathering all kinds of storms, with a resilience that stands out in a world that at times feels like it is crumbling around us. But I must admit there’s something else about a mountain that calls to me—and that is the climb. Greg Child once said, “somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb.” Some days it does feel like there is more than one mountain to climb but climb we must and do.
Every time we stand firm and remain rooted to our values and convictions, we do so with the knowledge that we are more powerful than we realized. When we stumble over a rock or two, and fall down, we pick ourselves up, continuing the climb, knowing with each step we are more resilient and grounded than the step before. And, those scraped knees and scars, are an awesome reminder that we conquered the pain along the way! Even at times when we don’t know which path to take, we still lift our heads up and move onward and upward.
Regardless of the mountain we have to climb, we learn something along the way, making it all the less mysterious and all the more meaningful. And, when we get to the top of our mountain, and we stop to rest and look to the sky…oh, indeed, we know exactly why we climbed our way to the top!