Thoughts On Climbing the Mountain

I live at the base of a mountain.  Lone Peak rises up majestically from my kitchen window.  I've climbed it.   I also had a glimpse of Mount Olympus from my family room window while growing up, and climbed it many times.  The mountain view is always inspiring to me.

But I live at the base.  At the end of 2013 I feel the same way - I'm at the bottom of the mountain.  I have had glimpses of the top; I want to go there, improve, make changes, and overcome weaknesses, and here I sit at the bottom.  

On every hike, I place items in my pack that are simple, useful and light - because I want to get to the top.  

So for 2014:

I'll pack listening.  And take out busyness.

I'll pack praise.  And take out criticism.
I'll pack friendship to family and others.  And take out selfishness.
I'll pack giving.  And take out greed.
I'll pack promptness. And take out procrastination.

I'll pack prayerful pondering.  And see more clearly what needs time.

  

I have two children who pack light, as opposed to the rest of us who tend to accumulate.  One daughter in her high school years, essentially threw out everything  that didn't fit in two dresser drawers, besides clothing and a harp.  One son followed a similar path and I want to be more like both of them. 

Most of the items in the packing list are really hard for me.  There is a reason they are compared to a mountain.  Sometimes overcoming is overwhelming.  Why is it that giving up what we really don't need, and makes us more free, is so difficult to do?  Why do we cling to what hinders our progress?  I don't have the answer, but I'm going to take steps up the mountain and think of the view from the top. 

So less stuff, more life.  Less of trivia, more of what matters. Less dragging my feet and more moving forward with purpose. And the top of the mountain will be exhilarating - it always is!