it's the climb

as miley cyrus so eloquently put it, "there's always gonna be another mountain, i'm always gonna wanna make it move, always gonna be an uphill battle" but i disagree with her conclusion, it's not completely about the climb. i would say it's also about the view when you get to the top and see where you've arrived because of the climb. this is life, people. what does yours look like? i like to imagine mine is somewhat like this:

(photo by: dino olivieri)

it's beautiful, filled completely with peaks and valleys that take my breath away. even the shadows are necessary to add to the beauty and give depth to this view.

have you ever felt like you're climbing a mountain and just when you reach the top and think you can start the down haul to ease and happiness, you realize you're stuck in the alps and there is always another mountain ahead to climb? yeah, i have too.

you have a choice: you can cry out in despair at the immense journey ahead, OR you can breathe, look around with big, open eyes, and realize that you're in the midst of absolute beauty. if you chose the second, for sure you still have to climb, up and down. it's never going to be easy, and you will still struggle to make your way. there will be moments when you are so far from the top that all you can do is climb with faith that you will be able to see the journey for what it really is when you reach a peak. this faith combined with the work of continuing to climb, will get you to the peaks. there WILL be those moments of clarity and rejuvenation when you get a glimpse of the entire scene, a glimpse of your life in it's entirety. you'll see where you've been, the dark you've passed through, the light you've been blessed with. you'll see where you're going, more darkness, even more light.

it's the moments when we're lost in the dark, steep places that make the peaks and open valleys so amazing. it's the paths that are slippery, cold, and wet that give us appreciation for the steps we take as we emerge into the sunlight at the top of a ridge.

just because mountains are hard to climb, their impressive grander or the sense of supreme accomplishment you should have when conquering them is not diminished. you can look at the sticks and thorns on the path right at your feet, or lift your eyes and take in the entire view.

thank God for mountains!