Determination is Only the Beginning
"This time, we are doing it!" I told my sweetheart, as we embarked on our second ascent of the Grosser Arber mountain. We were only a few hundred meters from reaching the summit the first time we attempted it. But the treacherous terrain and biting snow forced us to turn back. We stopped for a coffee break when we were so close to the summit, seeking warmth and sustenance before our final push. Sitting there, gazing out at the snowy landscape, we made a promise to ourselves that next time, no matter how hard, we would reach the top.
Now, that time had finally arrived. With renewed determination, we set out on our journey. Sebastian, a professional hiker, took the lead, while I followed behind, taking in the majestic beauty of nature surrounding us.
I had always been drawn to the sea, but being with him had opened my eyes to the wonder and challenge of the mountains. This time, we were not just conquering a mountain. We were pushing ourselves beyond our limits, testing our endurance and resistance. And with every step, every breath, every moment, we were reminded of why we were doing this. In the end, it was not just about reaching the top, it was about the journey, the experience, and the bond between us.
As we set foot on Großer Arber for the second time, the summer weather envelops us in its warmth, igniting a surge of determination within us. We are resolute to conquer this journey, to reach the peak no matter what it takes.
The sun shines down on us as we begin our hike, but with each step we take, the weather grows darker, the clouds looming above us. An hour into our ascent and the once clear skies are now shrouded in thick fog, the warmth replaced by a biting cold that seeps into our bones. But we press on, our will unwavering, our hearts set on reaching the end.
For me, it's not just about proving myself, but also about the thrill of the challenge, the rush of adrenaline that courses through my veins. Finally, we reached the same point where we had given up on our last attempt. The cozy café perched on the mountaintop tempts us with its warmth and shelter, especially as the weather continues to worsen.
Quitting is Not an Option
"Should we stop here?" Sebastian asks, his gaze flickering between the café and the deteriorating weather. But my mind is made up. I refuse to give in to comfort and complacency. We will not stop here. We will push through and reach the summit.
We trudge on, defying the natural elements. The rain is relentless, drenching us to the bone. Thunder rumbles ominously overhead, while lightning dances across the sky. The wind howls, whipping our hair and clothes wildly. And yet, we persist.
As we push forward, I can't help but feel a growing sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. The fear of failure looms over me, taunting me with each passing step. Is this the right time to continue? Doubt creeps in, reminding me of my past failures.
My mind drifts back to the time when I was determined to change my career from social worker to digital design. I was so sure of my path, of my success. But after countless rejections and a difficult job experience, I had to accept that it wasn't meant to be. And now, I can't help but wonder if this journey is also futile. But then, a voice within me speaks up. "Maybe, just maybe, this is meant to be." It's a small glimmer of hope amid the storm.
As the weather worsens, and we become the only ones still pushing forward, that voice grows louder. "It's not impossible," it says, "You can do this". But as nature rages on, we are forced to take shelter in a small hut we stumble upon.
As we huddle together, seeking refuge from the storm, I can't help but feel a deeper connection to my life and hiking partner.
The wind howled as we stood at the foot of the mountain. I could feel the chill in my bones, but it was nothing compared to the fear that gripped my heart. This time, I was really considering telling Sebastian to give up.
My desires were no longer the only thing on my mind, I was thinking about him too. I knew he would have given up if I had asked him to.
Success is Nearer as we Think
Just as I was about to voice my doubts, he pulled out his phone and checked Google Maps. "Google Maps says the top is right here in the neighborhood, only 100 meters away," he said, his voice laced with determination. "Where?" I asked, feeling a surge of life and enthusiasm course through me.
We emerged from the shelter and there, right behind us, was the crucifix. The goal we had been striving for was right there, behind our backs the whole time. It was there when I was ready to give up, but now it was within reach. We made it to the top, despite the treacherous conditions.
As I stood there, tears of joy threatening to spill from my eyes, I remembered Thomas Edison once said: "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Those words resonated with me, reminding me of my own experience with career changes.
When my bank account was on the verge of going into the negatives, I knew I had to give up. But deep down, I also knew that there was something greater waiting for me. Something that I couldn't yet understand. I made the difficult decision to give up, and it led me to where I am now. I never would have considered art as a career if I had succeeded in digital design. However, all the knowledge and skills I gained in design have been invaluable in my art business.
Now, standing at the top of this mountain, I know that I also had to persist in reaching here. And in some cases, we should persist, no matter what.
This experience challenged my physical and mental limits. As I began my hike on that beautiful summer day, I couldn't have imagined the twists and turns that lay ahead. But as I reached the summit, battered by fog, ice rain, and coldness, I realized that God's voice had been guiding me all along. It was a voice that spoke from within, a voice that I had often ignored in the past. But this time, I listened. And I was not mistaken.
Despite the challenging conditions, I pushed forward, determined to reach the top. And I did. We did it together. It was a powerful reminder that the voice of God within us is our true compass. But it's not always easy to listen to it. Fear has a way of creeping in, trying to sabotage our journey. It whispers words of doubt and insecurity, telling us we are crazy and incompetent. But we must resist its grip and, instead, tune in to the voice of God. Because when we do, we can achieve the impossible.
We can conquer our fears and reach heights we never thought possible. We may need to pause and reassess at times, but only when God tells us there is something better out there for us.
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever defied the voice of fear and followed the voice of God, no matter how crazy it seemed?