How I conquered a mountain!
I had already been walking for at least four hours and felt like I couldn’t take one more step! I also knew that I had about two more hours for our climb up Mount Phu Kradueng. This was so exhausting! I have done my share of hiking and backpacking in life but this one was one difficult hike.
Many times in our lives we face difficult moments and some more difficult then others. But one thing that they all have in common is that they are only moments, or seasons in our lives, but for the most part not eternal. A lot of these times begin or happen in our heads. Yes, we all get thrown or pushed (or by our choices we jump) into situations that we do not want or had planned to. We do have the choice of how we handle it.
The way we choice to think, relate and manage situations, for the most case is up to us (there is always an extreme exception). For example:
How I relate to the person that has mistreated me.
How I handle a screaming child.
What to say to my spouse when frustrated.
How I face the day even though I am exhausted.
The thoughts I choose to have when facing trials.
What I think of myself when I don’t measure up to my goals or others.
What we think is so important, it sets the tone for the day, week and rest of our lives. As we were going up the mountain, I had to conquer my thoughts before I could conquer the mountain. I was carrying two backpacks and helping my 7 year old daughter, who did amazing considering she has some small lingering physical difficulties from her stroke four years ago.
I was so exhausted, not only keeping myself motivated but also my child. To get her up the mountain walking the entire time, I had to keep her distracted from exhaustion, and focus on the goal. We had to pace ourselves and also take proper rest. I also had to be realistic with our expectations, my oldest daughter got up the mountain with my husband and two friends we had invited on this trip, some two three hours before we did (they were part of the intermediate group), but for my youngest to get up that fast was not possible.
Conquering this mountain gave me a fresh reminder of the power of choice and thoughts. I couldn’t make it up the mountain unless I chose to take one step at a time. Of course I wanted to make it all the way, but it happened by each step I took. My thoughts definitely help me make good choices and have a good time in the process. I also looked around me and saw people carrying nothing up the mountain but a water bottle. I could have stayed stuck on the thought that I wish that was me. However, I looked around and saw people that work carrying things up the mountain and this was extremely heart wrenching to see. Women and men of all ages including children, were carrying these heaven packs. I learned from them that slowly but surely they would make it up the mountain. They walked at a pace and also took breaks. I am sure none of them did this for fun but as a way to make a living, so they made the best of their situation. Many of them walked in groups (power of community) and talked a little bit, others listened to music and others were alone.
Today I encourage you and me, to conquer the mountains with God’s help to control your thoughts and choices one step at a time. Do not give up, if you need to go up the mountain with others, ask God to lead you to friends/counselor/coach that you can journey trough similar situations with. Remember we cannot always control situations, but we can control how we react to them!
Others carried heavy packs on bamboo sticks but this man was carrying metal beams for construction.
