One Step at a Time #4
My husband and I love hiking. To give you a bit of background, my husband was born in Austria, a country known for its mountaineers. He grew up trekking through the hills, and I picked up this hobby from him during our travels. We’ve ventured through the landscapes of Scotland, Jordan, Norway, Barbados, the United States, Portugal, Oman, Namibia, Uganda, Brazil, Ethiopia, and more. Now that we call Switzerland our home, we've decided to make hiking part of our lifestyle.
During our very first hike here, I had an insight halfway up the trail. It was the peak of summer, and the midday sun was scorching —it was tough, yet so incredibly rewarding.
Featured Insight:
Hiking and life have a lot in common. At the outset of a hike, the motivation runs high as you look up towards the summit, envisioning the breathtaking view that awaits. You take that first step with a sense of purpose. But inevitably, there comes a point, a challenging stretch, where sweat drips on your face, the path steepens, and doubts creep in. You find yourself questioning, "Why did I choose to do this, again?" Similarly, it is to embark on a daunting project or making a life-altering change - overwhelming and filled with uncertainty.
When things get tough, it is common to get stuck thinking about the whole mountain – how much is left to climb, the time and effort it will take. However, the magic always unfolds outside of comfort zones. Take it one step at a time, focusing solely on the present moment. This is when things start to flow and before you know it, you stand on the summit, gazing back at the tough yet immensely rewarding journey you've conquered, savoring the views with a great sense of achievement.
Remember, it's the ability to focus on the step directly in front of you, rather than the whole mountain that brings about transformation. Embrace each step, move forward, and understand that discomfort is a part of growth. Little by little… You can not only reach the peak but also enjoy the journey as you move forward. Enjoying the path is just as important as reaching the peak because once you get there, you'll soon be eager to pick another mountain to climb. Breathe it all in, choose your companion wisely, and just keep moving—one step at time. Your mountaintop is waiting.
Creative Corner:
To Read: Dive into the world of self-discovery and adventure with Cheryl Strayed's book, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" (link). This American writer takes you on a 1,100-mile solo hiking journey that intertwines her life's stories before and during the trail. It is a tale of physical challenges, emotional revelations, and spiritual awakenings. A quote from the book that stood out for me is: "Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves..." - a powerful reminder of how the stories we narrate to ourselves can either impede our progress or propel us forward on our unique paths.
To Follow: While I'm still on the lookout for specific accounts related to hiking inspirations (please feel free to share with me any recommendations you may have). I’d love to introduce you to my absolute favorite landscape photographer to follow - @danielkordan (link). His photography ignites our wanderlust and leaves us itching to explore our beautiful world. Through his lens, he beautifully captures the essence of landscapes, inspiring us to connect with the natural wonders of our planet.
To Watch: Get ready for an awe-inspiring Netflix documentary if you haven’t seen it yet. "14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible" (link) showcases the fearless Nepali mountaineer Nimsdai Purja as he embarks on an extraordinary quest to summit the world's 14 highest peaks in just seven months. To provide some context, the previous record, set by the legendary explorer Reinhold Messner, took seven years to achieve. Nimsdai's story is one of courage, perseverance, and pushing the limits of human endurance. What truly resonated with me in this documentary was Nimsdai's contagious smile, boundless joy, and his ability to tackle adversity with a lighthearted spirit. When his fundraising campaign hit a roadblock, his viral photo of a traffic jam of climbers on Mount Everest made the front page of the New York Times, ultimately shining a light on his project. His journey left me incredibly inspired, reminding me of the heights we can reach when we dare to dream and persist against all odds.
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Stay Connected: Follow me on Instagram: @giane.rp and @carpe.lux