Climbing Our Own Mountains
“In “You’re Already Dead,” a chapter titled “Perseverance,” which was initially written about grief and being lost with where we perceive our place to be in life, can also be interpreted for the age of social media, where the onslaught of positivity posts, and the ideas of endless ‘self improvement’, can blur our individual journeys. (Especially now, at a time when we are also subject to endless posts about the desperate plight of people in Gaza.) This chapter, and this post, serve as a reminder that our paths of perseverance and self-improvement are deeply personal.
“Don’t give in to the human urge to quit, and instead tap into the spiritual being within you to keep on walking, keep on searching, keep on living.” This quote isn’t just about endurance; it’s an invitation to recognize and respect our capacities and limitations. Whether it’s pursuing New Year’s resolutions, bettering ourselves through self-honesty, or facing challenges like climbing mountains, understanding and empathizing with our own and others’ capacities is so important.
Our journey isn’t just about the destination; it’s about managing our expectations and capacities. “Keep climbing the hill of your endeavours and take breaks if you need to. Climb for those who can’t.” This concept is key to perseverance. It’s about knowing when to pause, reflect, and continue at a pace that respects our abilities and limitations.
This idea was echoed in my experience in South Africa in 2017. My wife and I, while in Cape Town, impulsively decided to climb Lion’s Head mountain. Unprepared, without water, with improper footwear, and during a heatwave, we started our climb around noon. We had no idea how badly that climb (and even more so, the descent) would kick our asses. Near the summit, we almost gave up. We were so close to the top, and we appreciated how beautiful Cape Town looked from this height. But we both agreed it still wasn’t the top, and we came all the way from snowy Edmonton. So we kept climbing. We persevered, and reaching the top was one of the most ecstatic feelings we had. We didn’t actually expect it to be that hard. We thought it was no big deal. To us, that was a proud moment, to others, they may think it’s not a big deal if they had already climbed Mount Everest. But for us, that was our Everest.
“You may climb to the top of a mountain, only to see another mountain you have to climb ahead. In those moments, we are blessed with a view the person who quit halfway up, or the one who wasn’t able to climb at all, never got to see. Look back and be proud of the climb. Enjoy the view, and then keep climbing.” This sentiment captures our journey. Every achievement, no matter the size, is a part of our path and deserves to be celebrated.
In conclusion, be proud of how far you’ve come and where you aim to go. Avoid falling into the trap of hyper self-doubt. In a world obsessed with constant improvement and success stories, it’s important to appreciate our current position.
Often, people who constantly share their stories of perseverance, (their eight-pack abs) and striving to be the best, aren’t taking the time to appreciate where they are. They are focused on where they started and where they need to be (which is often a place with no end in sight).
While it’s important to strive for improvement, let’s not forget to appreciate where we are now, as much as where we’re headed. Your mountain is yours alone to climb, and every step, no matter the size, is a victory in itself.
Thank you for reading.
