Hi everybody!
When I visited San Diego, I recorded this video for you all. Text is at the bottom for those of you who prefer to read.
I hope you enjoy!
I climbed Cowles Mountain in San Diego, California. The mountain is not large; it’s about a mile and a half in distance and about 1500 feet in elevation. But for this central Ohio, flat-land derived girl, the rocks and upward motion my legs had to conquer were tiresome. I thought to myself, is this really so important that you have to keep on going? Why don’t you just stop, go back down and sit down? Wouldn’t that be nice?
But I kept going, because there is something about finishing things like this that you set out to do.
I am so glad I did because the view at the top of the mountain was totally worth it. Not only the view, but there is just something very satisfying about completing something that you started, especially when during it you wanted to quit.
In life, we confront all kinds of mountains. Sometimes, these mountains arise by choice, and other times, they arise of their own accord. If we set out to climb it, though, as much as we want to quit along the way, it is imperative that we keep on going.
There is so much to be learned along the way, and so much to be captured at the top. So finish those mountains that you set off to climb. Don’t stop till you reach the top!!
I loved your use of the mountain climb as metaphor for our many challenges in life. Giving up and not attempting the decent will not give us the knowledge we need to face the next climb (challenge). Then there are the interesting and fun thIngs we miss when we take an easy out.
Yeah! Every mountain is a lesson learned for the next mountain, and the next mountain might be harder, so you might as well go at it now!!
Oh, I love you! LOL! YOu always so “get it.”
That goes both ways
Bethany,
It seems to me that you have been climbing a lot of mountains in the time we have been sharing our work.
Keep climbing. You inspire.
Tom
Thanks Tom.
In all actuality, I must say that I look for the mountains. I like them.
As always, an inspirational message from you.
Thanks Nicole!
I love these little ‘messages’ from you. It seems they are always coming at me at the appropriate time. I agree with Susan that your choice of background just nailed the message you are trying to convey. You go girl!
My choice of background was really just nature. Well, and the city. It’s what was at the top of the mountain! Ha!
I’m glad this one came at the right time for you.
Wow the determined climb and the comparison with our life’s challenges is very inspiring.
I’m glad it inspired you Dilip.
Essay writing and reflective blog writing is also like climbing a mountain as well. One of my favorite composition professors likened essay writing to climbing a mountain when it came adding deeper, abstract thoughts to writing. In order to take your reader on a journey up that mountain of reflective thought, you have to keep diving into the sea of detail to give them concrete details and relatable anecdotes. Your post today illustrates that in a very effective fashion.
That’s a neat way of seeing it. I like that.
And what you wrote is a HUGE compliment to me, especially coming from you. Thank you.
Hi Bethany,
Your video was awesome, and it’s exactly what I was talking about in my post. This is the kind of videos that create relationships and it’s authentic. And what a view! I’ve been climbing a lot of mountains in Norway, not the really big ones, but I love hiking.
And I understand what you’re saying when you compare climbing mountains to challenges in life. We always have a choice to stop climbing, but if we do stop, we won’t be able to see the view from the top and get that awesome feeling of making it
Thanks Jens–
I am glad you liked this video. As I watched yours, it got me to thinking about the “story” component in my videos, which I think many of my videos lack. So, I’m going to work on this more. Thanks!!
A hike of a mile and a half and you’re not breathing hard? You’ve got energy.
I love the way you relate climbing a mountain to accomplishment. Both require determination, perseverance and positive belief/faith that we’ll reach the finish line.
I always feel good when I finish a project. It gives the feeling of victory. And the good thing about victory is that once you taste it once, you’ll want to taste it again and again. It’s like cake…dark brown cake with a touch of brandy, yum!
Keep up the good work Bethany!
Thanks Lanre!
It’s addicting, like that chocolate cake with brandy you just wrote about. 
I’m with you on the great feeling after finishing a project! And then yeah–I want it more and more.