Behind The Mountain . . .

The young man stood in the valley, craned his neck back thought to himself, "I am going to climb that mountain." Filling his canteen and with walking stick in hand he struck out, crossed the road and began his climb, one foot in front of the other. Sometimes his boot trod solid ground, or clambered over the salt-and-pepper granite. Chipmunks chattered at his passing and Marmots watched from the boulders, ready to sound the warning squeak. He wondered if he could remember where the Mountain Lion den was, so he could avoid that path.

Stepping higher and higher, sliding over shale, now in sunshine, now in shade, he stopped from time to time to catch is breath. The valley began to grow beneath him and over his head, he could see the peak. "That didn't take long." He thought to himself. Icy water from his canteen revived his resolve and he struck out again, tramping and supporting every other step with his walking stick. Climbing higher and higher until at last, he topped the rise.

The valley spread further beneath him and below, he could see the cabin roof. Heaving a victory sigh, he turned. His smile faded for his gaze did not show him the other side of the mountain, but more mountain. He was no-where near the peak but had only topped a rise. The mountain loomed over his head--but still the peak called. So on he went.

The day went on, the heat grew, his water dwindled, his belly growled and his feet hurt. Rise after rise he topped and the mountain seemed to grow away from him. The peak was just too far. If he did not turn back now, he would be out past dark. Defeated, he made his way back down.

Putting Another Easy Part Behind Me

I recalled this experience when my eyes ran across a saying, "behind mountains are more mountains." More recently my defeat became a true victory as I summited not one but five peaks in succession with two friends. With every ascent, our leader would smile and say, "the easy part's behind you."

When the two ideas are put together, it effects a change of perspective: yes, behind mountains are more mountains, so keep climbing. With every little victory comes preparation for more of what lies ahead. The easy part's behind you. More difficult days are coming but if you've conquered one, then you can conquer another, and another, and another. Before long you'll be standing on the last peak--look how far you've come!

It's hard work, but it's worth it. The only way to make it is with persistence and resistance. Stick with it. Whatever lies before you, persist. Conquer it because that obstacle is your way out. Now resist--there is no going back. You can only go forward, so persist toward the peak and resist the temptation to quit.

“Firstly, avoid all actions that are haphazard or purposeless . . " (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12:20)

I hear a Mountain calling . . .