Welcome the Journey, beloved.
Head along the path as it winds its way to the foot of the mountain; keep watch with each step to carefully maneuver between, over, and around the roots of the old pine trees. Let your gaze fall to notice the tiniest of life on the surface of the moss. Keep to the right of the raging waters until it leads you to the source, where the mountain-top snow melt runs icy cold. Look up and take in the majesty of the great mountain, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and set your resolve to begin the climb.
Immediately, an unrelenting incline will test your pounding heart; your legs start to feel the burn with each rocky step, increasing the demand. There will be moments when you take a break to catch your breath and refuel, hoping to tap into some new-found energy.
While you take this moment, assess the task that is still to come. This is the test of talking yourself into or out of the challenge, and with every footstep moving forward, you hold the struggle within you to encourage the journey or to end it. This tension will only relent once you reach the top. You will answer the call to move forward, gracefully holding the tension. Knowing that with each wave of pain and discomfort, you will find the way through. By pressing into the hard, your soul’s sanctuary is revealed.
Let yourself be yanked out of your hyper-focused state, shifting your thoughts from your heavy breathing and the hot spot nipping at your heels when you hear a chirp. There it is again, louder this time, and look up to see a marmot screaming its warning of your presence. The marmot warns with each step closer until it runs safely from you. Be curious about this mountainside creature and how it observes you. Does the marmot see you as a potential threat?
Let your senses awaken to the sound of the breeze and open your eyes in wonder at the most petite flowers insisting on growing between the rocks high up in the alpine tundra. What colors do they bring to the slope? What details do their petals have?
As you ascend, your surroundings will shift; with the newly gained elevation, you will see more reasons why you came, although you did not yet know it. When you are flooded in the moment, embrace and welcome all the feelings, and let the expansiveness of the mountain range and endless blue sky begin its healing work within you.
“Light of Life, speak to me.” I pray in this moment, “Let your love undo me.” This is my heart song as I head up the mountain. I encourage you to pray for what your heart longs to express. Great relief overcomes you as you reach the top. It’s a joy that can’t be explained. Embrace the wonder of the moment.