The Beauty of the Mountain is hidden for all those who try
to discover it from the top, supposing that, one way or another, one can reach
this place directly. The Beauty of the Mountain reveals only to those who
climbed it. --Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A] Choose the mountain you want to climb: don’t pay
attention to what other people say, such as “that one’s more beautiful” or
“this one’s easier”. You’ll be spending lots of energy and enthusiasm to reach
your objective, so you’re the only one responsible and you should be sure of
what you’re doing
B] Know how to get close to it: mountains are often seen
from far off – beautiful, interesting, full of challenges. But what happens
when we try to draw closer? Roads run all around them, flowers grow between you
and your objective, what seemed so clear on the map is tough in real life. So
try all the paths and all the tracks until eventually one day you’re standing
in front of the top that you yearn to reach.
C] Learn from someone who has already been up there: no
matter how unique you feel, there is always someone who has had the same dream
before you and ended up leaving marks that can make your journey easier; places
to hang the rope, trails, broken branches to make the walking easier. The climb
is yours, so is the responsibility, but don’t forget that the experience of
others can help a lot.
D] When seen up close, dangers are controllable: when you
begin to climb the mountain of your dreams, pay attention to the surroundings.
There are cliffs, of course. There are almost imperceptible cracks in the
mountain rock. There are stones so polished by storms that they have become as
slippery as ice. But if you know where you are placing each footstep, you will
notice the traps and how to get around them.
E] The landscape changes, so enjoy it: of course, you have
to have an objective in mind – to reach the top. But as you are going up, more
things can be seen, and it’s no bother to stop now and again and enjoy the
panorama around you. At every meter conquered, you can see a little further, so
use this to discover things that you still had not noticed
.F] Respect your body: you can only climb a mountain if you
give your body the attention it deserves. You have all the time that life
grants you, as long as you walk without demanding what can’t be granted. If you
go too fast you will grow tired and give up half way there. If you go too slow,
night will fall and you will be lost. Enjoy the scenery, take delight in the
cool spring water and the fruit that nature generously offers you, but keep on
walking.
.
G] Respect your soul: don’t keep repeating “I’m going to
make it”. Your soul already knows that, what it needs is to use the long
journey to be able to grow, stretch along the horizon, touch the sky. An
obsession does not help you at all to reach your objective, and even ends up
taking the pleasure out of the climb. But pay attention: also, don’t keep
saying “it’s harder than I thought”, because that will make you lose your inner
strength.
H] Be prepared to climb one kilometer more: the way up to
the top of the mountain is always longer than you think. Don’t fool yourself,
the moment will arrive when what seemed so near is still very far. But since
you were prepared to go beyond, this is not really a problem.
I] Be happy when you reach the top: cry, clap your hands,
shout to the four winds that you did it, let the wind – the wind is always
blowing up there – purify your mind, refresh your tired and sweaty feet, open
your eyes, clean the dust from your heart. It feels so good, what was just a
dream before, a distant vision, is now part of your life, you did it!
J] Make a promise: now that you have discovered a force that
you were not even aware of, tell yourself that from now on you will use this
force for the rest of your days. Preferably, also promise to discover another
mountain, and set off on another adventure.
L] Tell your story: yes, tell your story! Give your example.
Tell everyone that it’s possible, and other people will then have the courage
to face their own mountains.
Excerpted from “LIKE THE FLOWING RIVER” (Point K, above
missing, perhaps intentionally.)
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