The climb always makes the view better. Think of climbing to the top of a small mountain of dirt - average view right? Now think about climbing to the top of a mountain a few meters high. It still seems what average?
Then imagine the climb to the top of one of the biggest mountains you can think of... Now we're talking!
But then there's the downside. The climb itself and the time we have to spend in the deep, dark valleys along the way. We grow and learn from our time in the valleys. After all, we have to build the skills we need to climb out, skills we will keep and tools that we will become more familiar with using. Think of these tools as now being readily available in your backpack.
But we're not the only ones who benefit after these long, hard treks. After we go through it ourselves - it helps us to develop a level of empathy for others that we wouldn't otherwise have. When the time comes and we see someone else going through the tougher times, spending their time in the valley, we don't look down on them or feel disconnected. Instead, we empathize with where they're at. After all, we now know what it looks like and how it feels.
Sharing our experience with them about our hard times helps them feel a little less alone when they look around and can't see anyone nearby. Because when you're in the valley it usually looks like everyone's standing way up high on the mountains nearby...
But remember, if it's your turn right now spending time in the valley, this is the point when the climb starts. The start of new growth. And while the top can feel distant and impossible to reach, after time, we do get there. The trek does come to an end and we reach the top of what is our 'personal mountain'.
But please know, while there are seemingly lots of signs for a magic elevator to the top of the mountain, there isn't one. It will be a waste of time searching for it. This is a path we have to walk ourselves. The first step is accepting we need to embark on the journey. The second part is remembering to ask for help from others along the way.
But when we do make it there, we get to sit down and enjoy the view.
Most people don't like the reality that life's made up of valleys and mountains. There's a level of discomfort in the idea that a valley may lay ahead. But imagine for one moment if we were born at the top of the highest and most beautiful mountain and continued to spend our lives there, even if it had the most amazing view in the world, we wouldn't know any different and we wouldn't be able to appreciate it in the same way as someone who'd spent a large amount of time and energy climbing to see it. Sure we would have seemingly lived a life of privilege to anyone who heard about us. But the reality is, we would never have experienced any other perspectives. It makes sense right? If you haven't walked down to the bottom - you don't really know how high you are.
While the climb really can feel like hell at times (for lack of a better word here), when you get to the top the view is worth it. And then... It's time to climb a bigger mountain.
If you're starting out on a new path check out the blog post 10 tips for starting a new path.