On Sunday I was out of bed at 4:30 am to climb a peak that eluded me last summer.
Spoiler alert: I did not reach the summit. Again.
The mountains we choose – both real and metaphorical – often don’t give themselves away easily. But that’s one of the reasons why I love hiking.
Your goal is a destination that may or may not be reachable, for reasons both in and out of your control. You set out on the trail with no guarantees. The day before you is a story untold.
Sometimes the stars align – you feel strong, the weather holds, and it’s almost like the mountain rolls out the red carpet right to the summit. Or… you start later than you intended, your energy flags, the clouds close in. On those days, the mountain says no. Argue at your own peril.
But no matter how the day goes, you’re out there in it. You’re going somewhere you wouldn’t have gone, pushing yourself farther that you would’ve otherwise, seeing things you wouldn’t have seen, meeting people you wouldn’t have met.
Whether you’re climbing an actual mountain, writing a book, building a business, seeking a new relationship, a new home – this is actually THE most important purpose of any goal.
It gets you out of bed and into the adventure. Setting out on the path opens the door to experience. Whether or not your reach your intended destination, whatever happens will transform you in some way – and make you more than you were before.
After 3 hours of relentless climbing on my chosen mountain, my shirt was soaked through. My pack felt made of lead. My dad would have called this trail “a steep bastard.”
By mid afternoon, there were still 2 more hours of stairmaster-style trekking to reach the peak. The wind from the south was kicking up in an ominous way. Then I made a wrong turn.
The mountain was definitely saying no.
As I turned to head back down, part of me was frustrated. All that effort on that steep bastard of a trail!! I’d have to come back yet a third time for this peak!
Then I remembered: the peak was just the invitation to the party. The party – the most important purpose for my goal - was simply the adventure of being in it.
What’s a goal of yours that still seems far away? Are you sweating it out, wondering if this steep bastard of a path you chose is leading anywhere?
Remember that just by being in it today, you’ve already arrived at the party.
Love,
Kate
PS – My new single, “Space Between My Hands”, plays with this idea. It’ll be available on your favorite listening platform next Thursday, August 26!