Many routes to the top of the mountain

 

Sometimes you see a photo of someone in an impressive setting next to a dropoff, and you think, "What an almost impossible effort it must have been to get to that point!" Having no other information than what is in the picture, you think the person must have scaled a sheer cliff. While that kind of climbing is possible for a few who are highly trained, it's not how the majority of us get to mountaintops. There are almost always a variety of routes to a summit, with a variety of levels of risk and exposure. The two summits pictured here, Hayden and Olympus, are examples of that. I got to the summit, not via the cliff you see pictured, but by a much more gradual and reasonable route.

We also climb SYMBOLIC mountains in life. We may have a goal, or a challenge, that requires extended and prolonged effort. We can see or envision a desired result, that sometimes seems very far away, and sometimes even unattainable. In such a setting, if we choose wisely and carefully we can find the best way to conquer the "mountain." Sometimes it makes the most sense to attack a situation as directly and intensely as possible, even if that approach requires concentrated and even painful or risky effort. But often we can take a more measured approach, gathering advice and information, developing skills, working gradually towards the goal over time. Each mountain is different! But what a joy it is to #GiveThanks as we reach one of those remarkable summits, whether physical or symbolic, in our life. And to also be grateful along the trail as we learn and experience so many wonderful things that also bring joy and growth!