Today, I hiked my first 14er. That’s a 14,000 foot above sea-level mountain. Here’s where you can see the details of the trail we took.
About half way up the mountain, I got really scared I couldn’t do it.
I thought we were going to be hiking, but this was real mountain climbing. Like the clinging to the side of the mountain, probably should have had ropes or something kind of mountain climbing.
I’ll have photos soon.
More than once, I was so scared, I had to stop, lay my head down on the mountain and cry. Then, I got up and kept going.
Such a metaphor for life and business.
The next time shit happens in your life and business and you are sure you are going to die, I want you to think of me on that mountain, thinking I was going to die.
And I want you to put your head down, cry your eyes out and then get back up and keep going. Don’t turn back and don’t get stuck. You’ll be better than fine as long as you get up and keep climbing the mountain.
Breathe into your belly, pray to source, and keep on keepin’ on.
14 Comments
Wow – Congrats on making the climb!! Scares me just by your description! and I could tell you (but I'm not gonna bore you) with why this is a timely post for me… I have been sitting here all week at my desk trying hard not to cry… so maybe I should and then get on with it! Thanks!
Oh Shelly, do it. Let it out girl and then get on with it. 🙂
I love this and I admire you for getting up and moving forward. I've never experienced a hike like this, but I very likely would wind up in the same position. Thanks so much for sharing the experience with us!!
This gave me a good laugh! Great metaphor. I once said, and have been quoted many times since by my partner, “I'm a huge advocate of crying.” Sometimes, it is THE thing that moves you forward. You are just acknowledging that what you are going through at the moment just sucks, or is really hard, and then you move on. Very cleansing! Thanks Alexis.
Definitely let yourself cry Shelly! I have been doing it each day the past week and a half and have needed to to move forward and to allow new ideas to come in. I think we assume that if we cry often, that we are not okay, and that others must not cry nearly as much as we do:)
Alexis: Great job on the hike! I love to hike and will try to build in more opportunities to hike at higher altitudes in the future. Plus, it is a great metaphor for many things in biz and life!
Thanks Julia! I haven't cried yet… but I will… probably tonight after my exercise class when I'm at the computer and the house is asleep and I relax 🙂 I always stop myself from crying and NEVER cry in front of anyone… weird but true – maybe this will help 🙂
and you are right – it IS a great metaphor… I feel like I'm on a mountain myself 🙂
I'm trying! I'm really trying! 🙂
A good friend once told me – tears make you smarter. Let em flow!
So true. Never done it on a mountainside, but in life, yeah. Things go much more easily now that I know about how to do the moving on part – I used to get so stuck inside the tears.
a smart friend! 🙂
Absolutely. In life and in business it's not how many times you get knocked down/fall down that matter, it's how many times you get back up and keep going.
The mountains teach us a lot every time. I laugh when you said “I thought we were going to be hiking, but this was real mountain climbing.” More than once I've been in those boots too. Thanks for sharing.
Great lesson and I got a giggle that you thought you were going to be “hiking”!
Pingback: An Encouraging Bird » Frolicking Pheasant Friday – Words of a Feather Redux
Edit thisRe: “The next time shit happens in your life and business and you are sure you are going to die, I want you to think of me on that mountain, thinking I was going to die… And I want you to put your head down, cry your eyes out and then get back up and keep going.”
I love this! Life and business is going to present challenges. Some more difficult than others. At the end of the day, the sooner you pick yourself up to deal with them, the easier it is to move forward. And if you have a group of friends to help you along the way, even better 🙂
Congrats on your climb Alexis – that's quite the achievement!