Mountains of Life

Time spent in the mountains provides tangible reminders of many lessons for life.. Below are the eight most notable for me. 

1. Challenge.

Anything worthwhile and meaningful is difficult.

Hiking in the mountains is a quick reminder of this lesson. The more challenging a task at hand is, the less competition you’ll meet along the way. There are more cars in the parking lot than people on the summit. It’s usually steeper near the top so reaching the best views takes more effort as you move forward. We should become comfortable with discomfort and embrace the benefits it can lead to in the end.

2. Humility.

Seek out what makes you feel small.

Mountains do if for me. So do oceans, wide rivers, a clear night sky, and the Grand Canyon. Nature is the best reminder of our place in life. We are a blip in time and a speck of dust. This is enough reason to marvel at simple wonders on Earth, explore our own curiosities, and bring joy to others each day.

3. Compounding.

Getting to the top is simple but not easy.

Success in most things can be boiled down to the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. Whether it’s creating a new habit, investing, or hiking up a mountain. You can make serious progress if you keep a focus on putting one foot in front of the other and merely not stopping. By moving consistently you create a powerful force of momentum, which is harnessed for further progress. Slow going up. Fast coming down. Each time you stop it becomes more difficult to get a rhythm going again.

4. Preparation.

To be good at anything you have to practice.

Reading books about hiking will not make you a better hiker. Walking repeatedly up hills with a pack on, will. Flying from the flatlands in the Midwest to 6,500 ft.+ to run and hike hurts the legs, lungs, and pride. It’s simple, the more you hike in the mountains, the better of a hiker you become... but it’s not easy.

5. Adaptability.

Things can change quickly and drastically.

You need to be prepared for any scenario with food, water, and layers. As trail conditions prove unexpected or a storm begins to roll in, you have to think objectively. In these moments we are forced to face our fears, biases, and weaknesses by weighing all the variables properly. If turning around is the best decision, how do we handle the sunk cost of our efforts? It’s easier said than done, but lives are saved by adapting plans as situations change.

6. Balance.

Preserving the correct balance is different than being idle.

In the mountains if you go too hard from the start, you’ll burnout and not make it. Meanwhile if you don't apply enough effort, gravity will pull you away from the end goal. We need to be aware of how our efforts are allocated. On a steep slope, as in life, there is no standing still.

7. Gratitude.

Enjoy the view and beauty along the way.

The strained deep breaths are the real fruits of your labor. Embrace the burn in the legs and lungs. Being in the mountains guarantees you are surrounded by beauty, be grateful for each moment. Even when temporarily painful, you are most present when being pushed closer to the edge of comfort. Every once in a while, stop, turn around, and take note of where you began. As you turn around, you'll realize, you’ve made more progress than you think.

8. Perspective

Do more.

Once at the top you’ll see there are many more peaks in the distance. This should be hopeful and inspiring rather than overwhelming! You accomplished the task at hand. You may have had doubts when you began, but one step at a time it came to fruition. As future challenges arise, you are confident and prepared to take them on. Actually, while the endorphins are flowing you should commit to taking on the next peak. The more you take on the more you are capable of.