Sometimes I Climb Mountains...

This past weekend I took a trip with a friend into the Cariboo Mountains to hike the Yellowhead trail up to the summit of Mt. Murray. The entire trek is hemmed in by some of the most beautiful forest and alpine scenery that the Cariboo has to offer. The funny thing is during the actual hike I spent the majority of my time watching my feet playing footsy with tree roots.

I used to be a better hiker than I was this past weekend. I was younger, in better shape and determined to push myself to conquer and even excel against the nature of the wild. In high school I took an Outdoor Recreation class and participated in several different physically demanding hikes and backpacking trips. Thing is I haven't been in high school for 6 years, my "can-do" attitude is a little rusty and, while the appeal of the hike still beckons, it's hard to see the beauty when sweat is obscuring my vision.

So I focus on my feet and for reasons unknown to me I count steps in my head.

                                           1 and 2... 2 and 3... 3 and 4 and 5...

Each uphill step hurts, pulls and strains but I keep going, keep counting and keep wondering, at times out loud: "Why on earth do I chose to do things like this?!?" It's usually only in the aftermath of the hike when I'm safely seated in the car on the way home that I reflect back and find that I feel deeply satisfied.

But isn't that just like LIFE?

We spend a lot of time focusing on small things at our feet and the burning ache in our chest as we draw in air and our eyes lose focus on the beauty of the life we've been given. The joy of the here and now escapes us because it carries the struggle and exhaustion of an upward climb.

http://indulgy.com/post/Z8t05PyFJ1/its-the-journey

 We like it when we finally "get" somewhere or when things seem rather smooth and easy but life isnt' all smooth and easy. It's not just a series of spectacular destinations. There are, in fact, a few choice mountains standing in our way.

Sometimes we get to plant our feet, speak to the mountain and watch it throw itself into the sea. Other times we have to grit our teeth, throw up a prayer for guidance and start the grueling uphill climb to the apex.

There really isn't one right way to get past a mountain. Whether that chunk of rock cannon balls into the sea or your tired feet plod a track up it's rocky forehead doesn't really change the fact that there are lessons to learn, experiences to shape you and faithful muscles to flex.

I said it before when I wrote my post about optimism versus pessimism but it's true yet again. When we choose not to be distracted by our next step and instead focus on the overall benefit and joy of the journey we're on then we get more out of it. We recognize the outstanding beauty while we are submerged in it instead of just on a few choice photographs from the trip. But of course such a lifestyle demands and requires bold and outrageous courage on our part. We can't truly be optimistic unless we first choose to be brave against all odds.

For me this is an important thing to remember. When I got home after 11 crazy and amazing months doing what most people only ever dream of doing as I travelled and served the abused, impoverished and vulnerable in 11 different nations I felt devoid of purpose. I didn't know what to do next or where to turn. I was angry and frustrated because I didn't know how to find value, purpose and meaning in my life back home.

The really funny thing is I was being given an amazing opportunity to pour into a group of vulnerable and often abused people in my community and I didn't even realize the connection for the first several months after becoming involved. One day while I was praying and complaining to God about it he hit me over the head with the realization that I have everything that I could have ever wanted in a job. Not only that but I have been given purpose and the opportunity to pour into people the way I was before. It was a sobering realization because miserable pretty much sums up the way I felt for about 4 or 5 months after I got back. In addition grumpy and ungrateful pretty much describes my attitude when the truth is I had everything I wanted all along!

                        So shall we end this with a dare?

I dare you to stop your uphill climb for just a minute, take your eyes off of your feet, catch your breath, take courage and actually LOOK for the beauty of the mountain that you're climbing.

Once you've seen it try taking another step forward but this time
KEEP YOUR HEAD UP.