Summoning Your Will

It Was Supposed To Be Easy

“Let’s go hike Camelback Mountain,” I suggested enthusiastically to my friend, Monica. She had traveled from Connecticut to visit me and an outdoor excursion into the Arizona landscape seemed like a great idea. After all, Camelback was listed in the book: Best Easy Day Hikes. Little did I know that the hike would test my will as much as my body.

What rattled me about Camelback wasn’t the possibility of encountering snakes. It was the steep and rocky patches that required some careful footing. Fortunately for me, in addition to being a good friend, my hiking companion happened to be a life coach and therapist. Her encouragement was invaluable during our trek, especially in my moments of exhaustion and exasperation. Later that day, over full platters of Mexican food (our reward for making the climb), we laughed and toasted each other, as we reflected on our lessons from the mountain, which were actually about hiking through life.

Lessons From The Mountain

Fear Happens
In one area of the mountain, there is a strategically placed railing to hold, as you ascend the rocky path. I found the railing difficult to use, however, due to the big bottle of Smart Water I was carrying in one hand. (Apparently, it would have been smarter to have brought a water holster and some rock climbing gloves.) At certain points, I stopped in my tracks. As other hikers passed us on their way back down, I provided my own commentary: “Don’t mind me. I’m just having a fear moment.” Later, Monica applauded my technique. I had stopped, but not for long. I vocalized my fear and then literally moved through it.

Either You’re Almost There Or You Have A Ways To Go
About 40% of the people we encountered coming down the mountain told us, “You have a ways to go.” The other 60% assured us, “You’re almost there.” I found this very interesting and quite funny. I guess it’s all relative and the main thing is to keep moving.

Stay Vertical (Don’t Clutch the Mountain)
“May I give you a hint?” This question was offered by a very physically fit older man who clearly knew the terrain. He observed that I was clutching the mountain so tightly that not only was I horizontal – practically climbing on all fours – but my diaphragm was getting crushed. (Well, at least that explained my light-headedness!) He told me to stay vertical and as I adjusted my posture, the life lesson wasn’t lost on me. When we grip too tightly, we diminish our ability to progress. He offered a few more climbing tips before leaving me. Look for small steps and if you don’t see one immediately in front of you, it’s okay to look to the left or the right. As you stride, place your foot right under your knee; don’t go ahead of yourself.

Just Look for the Next Foothold
Monica kept catching me looking far ahead or glancing behind us. I hadn’t even gotten to the top yet and I was worried about how we were going to get back down! To encourage staying in the present, she had me count each step as I was taking it and focus on the ground in front of me.

When You Feel Like Giving Up, Don’t
During our hike, I considered turning back at least three times. Just when we thought we were at the top, we discovered the last stretch would take us another twenty minutes. By this time, my water bottle was empty and my stomach was growling. I saw the look in Monica’s eyes: a mixture of compassion and disappointment. She would have sacrificed going to the top for me, but she really wanted to summit. On one side of us, there was a couple who had decided to go no further. Then, Monica reminded me of something we learned from yoga class: When you feel like giving up, don’t. This is precisely when growth occurs and you have the opportunity to open to expansive possibilities in your life.

At that point, I realized that sometimes it’s simply a matter of pure will. Summoning your will, when your desire has waned, is what makes the difference in reaching new heights. No sooner had we decided to push on, then another man appeared, endorsing our decision: “You’ve come too far to chicken out now.” In a flash, we were back in touch with our desire to make it to the top.

Your Victory Dance Awaits You!

Elation at the Summit: Monica and Ginny’s Victory Dance

When we finally reached the summit, what physical energy we had left miraculously multiplied and erupted into a spontaneous victory dance. As we asked someone to take our picture, Monica smiled, “This will be a story for your blog.”

Since our excursion, on a recent hike up the Superstition Mountains, I met a young girl about ten years old. She groaned and moaned as her big sister prodded her on. I smiled and asked her, “When you reach the top, what will your victory dance look like?” She obliged and demonstrated for me. Later, as I stepped off the peak, I saw her rounding the corner, just strides away from her inevitable victory.

What Is Your Summit?

What is the summit in your life that challenges you right now? Use these lessons from the mountain to inspire you as you summon your will to proceed.

“I contain an inner reservoir of gritty strength,
which serves me and others well.”
– Julia Cameron¹

Notes:
¹Julia Cameron, Blessings: Prayers and Declarations for a Heartfelt Life, (New York, NY, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, ©1998), page 142.