I’ve been climbing lots of mountains this summer….14’ers they’re called in Colorado.

 

Quandary

Kelso Ridge of Torrey’s & Grays Peak

Snowmass

Challenging, sometimes death defying mountains that not only test your physical strength and stamina, but your mental state. I found myself questioning my capabilities several times, hesitating more than I ever have when faced with a gnarly cliff, full expose, jagged rocks, steep gullies with loose tallas and skree. I couldn’t seem to catch my breathe at times, so I’d stop….thus prolonging the summit. Never had I experienced anything so mentally challenging, physically demanding, but naturally beautiful and peaceful all at the same time.

It’s made me think of how I choose to concur, tackle, face life’s challenges. My girlfriend and I do yoga almost every Wednesday and recently, I listened to a teacher discuss intentional progress. This resonated so deeply with me! To intentionally seek that next step, be aware and alert to what’s needed to get there, then actively put it all into motion!? It sounds so obvious, doesn’t it? Yes, that’s where I want to go….and I got there. Duhhhhh!

But I stopped to think about how many times I had just gone through the motions of something. A work project, a family obligation, a hard climb. You trudge through it, hoping it will soon come to an end.  Climbing some of those mountains, there were times I couldn’t find my intent – I just wanted to get through it. The thought of intentional progress awakened something in me.

If I can learn to do things with intentional progress, to fully commit, be in the moment and focus on completing the task with my full being…oh what a lesson that will be.

Happy progress!