I climbed a mountain

I started off putting one foot in front of the other, head down and pure determination flowing through my body to get to the top. 

Breathless, aching, but unwilling to stop. The summit was all I could see. 

“This isn’t that bad,” I thought. 

Why was I so nervous before? 

Light work! 

But gradually the momentum faded, time stretched and doubts appeared. 

 Can I really do this?

Did I underestimate how hard this would be?

The voices crept in more and more as I took each step. 

I knew they would distract me or worse force me down the other way back to the start. And I didn’t like giving up.

So, I paused and lifted my gaze. 

The views were breathtaking. Hills rolling into the horizon, the air clear and sharp. A stillness around me that soothed my chest. 

I allowed myself to be present. And suddenly the critical voices in my head changed their tone.

Look at these views!

How lucky you get to experience this!

I set off again but this time slower and more awake. 

I saw the curve of the path, the sway of the trees and the people.

The people caught my attention. Some were far ahead, and others were behind me. But collectively we were trying. 

We were all pressing on. Different journeys but one shared will. 

And somewhere along the way the summit appeared. Not as a prize. Not loudly. 

But like a quiet unfolding of the path I had already chosen.

We all have different mountains we are trying to climb – whether this is a health goal, career goal, healing, working on our relationships or self-improvement.

Sometimes getting out of bed on a tough day is your mountain. Don’t let anyone devalue what is hard for you. 

Being determined to reach that goal and the summit is admirable. 

But don’t forget to take moments to pause on the journey. Take in the surroundings.

Notice the people on their journeys- not to compare but to inspire you. 

It will make the summit come a lot quicker.

And if you are on the journey with integrity and determination then the summit is inevitable.