How to conquer summits

Choose a mountain you want to climb: Don’t let yourself be carried away by the commentaries of others saying “that one is nicer” or “this one is easier”. You will waste too much energy and a lot of enthusiasm to reach your goal; therefore you are the only one responsible for it and shall be sure of what you are doing.

 

Know how to approach it: Many times, the mountain is seen from far away — beautiful, interesting, full of challenges. But when we try to approach it, what happens? Roads surround it, there are forests between you and your goal, what appears clear on the map is difficult in real life. So, try all the paths, trails, until one day you stand before the summit you intend to reach.

 

Learn from those who have already walked there: As unique as you judge yourself to be, there is always someone there who had that very dream before and ended up leaving marks that could make your walk easier; spots to place the rope, cuts through the path, broken branches to facilitate your march. That is your walk, so it is your responsibility as well, but don’t forget that the experiences of others are of great help.

 

Dangers, seen from close, are controllable: When you start climbing the mountain of your dreams, pay attention around you. There are cliffs, of course. There are imperceptible fissures. There are rocks that are so polished by the storms, that they become slippery with the ice. But if you know where you are putting each feet; you’ll notice the traps and will be able to conquer them.

 

The landscape changes, so enjoy it: Certainly you need to have a goal in your mind — get to the top. But as you go up, more things can be seen, and there is no harm in stopping once in a while and enjoying the view around you. At every conquered metre, you can see a little farther, and take advantage of that in order to find out things that you hadn’t noticed yet.

 

Respect your body: Only those who give their body the attention it deserves are able to climb a mountain. You have all the time life gives you, so walk without demanding what can’t be given. If you walk too fast, you’ll get tired and give up in the middle. If you walk too slowly, the night might fall and you’ll get lost. Enjoy the landscape, enjoy the fresh water from the springs and the fruits nature gives you generously, but keep walking. 

 

Respect your soul: Don’t keep repeating all the time “I’ll make it.” Your soul already knows that, what it needs is to use the long walk so it can grow, expand itself through the horizon, reach the sky. An obsession doesn’t help at all in the search for your goal and ends up taking away the pleasure of the climbing. But attention: don’t keep repeating “it is harder than I thought,” because this will make you lose inner strength.” 

 

Prepare yourself to walk an extra kilometer: The route all the way up to the mountain’s top is always longer than you thought. Don’t fool yourself; the time will come in which what seemed close is still very far away. But as you were ready to go beyond, it doesn’t get to be a problem.

 

Rejoice when you reach the top: Cry, applaud, shout to the four corners that you’ve made it, let the wind up there (it is always windy up there) purify your mind, refresh your sweaty and tired feet, open your eyes, clean up the dust from your heart. It is great that what once was just a dream, a distant vision, is now part of your life, you have made it. 

 

Make a promise: Take advantage that you have discovered a strength you didn’t even know you had, and tell yourself that from now you will use it for the rest of your days. Preferably, promise as well that you will find another mountain, and go for a new adventure.  

 

Tell your story: yes, tell your story. Give your example. Tell everyone that this is possible and other people will feel the courage to face their own mountains. 

 

Translated by  Bettina Dungs