Just Keep Climbing
Just Keep Climbing
I had the opportunity to be in San Francisco last week for work. When thinking about my time there, the people I met with and the conversations I had I keep thinking about the words forward and upward. Then on a podcast this morning (Rich Roll Podcast #360 with Tom Scott) Tom Scottsaid, “I kept trying to get to the top of the mountain and I realized that there was no top.” That brought a thought into focus that I’ve been thinking for a long time: life as a great climb.
Photo by abhishek gaurav from Pexels
I love hiking and cycling. When engaged in either activity I love climbing. It’s hard, it hurts, I say several four letter words in my mind and it’s during these climbs recently with my youngest son on my back (or riding in the tag-along) that he decides to ask life’s most interesting questions. Breathing is tougher, more labored and I remember that I’m alive and in this moment. My mindset has to shift from what-if and what about to climbing the next incline, controlling my breath and answering my son’s question without hyperventilating. My body, though stressed is focused and engaged with my mind. The outdoors permeate my soul and I am aware of all that life is.
I was meant to think about the words forward and upward this week. In San Francisco I saw the new Salesforce Tower. It’s finished. It’s a great example of a company’s vision and values moving forward and upward. Then Salesforce MVP Daniel Peter shared this animated gif of Salesforce Towerduring construction showing how this example of forward and upward came to be. Then I heard Tom Scott’s words this morning and just now saw a post by Colin Nanka on the importance of being scrappy, resourceful and persistent: what’s called “the immigrant edge.” These are words that define people who survive and thrive on the climb.
Climbing is hard and yet it’s during the climb that we discover our true capacity and how often we stop the climb for the feeling that we lack enough reserves. Learning to continue the climb is key not only to success in however we define it, but it is a critical component in joy. I choose to climb more. I choose to climb longer and steeper and to think about moving forward and upward.
Climbing to the mountaintop is but the journey to new heights in our souls and there is always room to asend. Here’s to the climb!
The mountains are calling and I must go.
-John Muir