The Mountain
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
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Ever found yourself facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge? Yup; thought so. Most of us have, at some time or other. In fact, in the light of today’s headlines, I dare say quite a few folks are lookin’ one in the eye even now.
Hey, when it comes to the stuff life throws at us, it really should come as no surprise when that mountain in front of us looks so ginormous
Well, here’s a little bit of wisdom from cartoonist Dave Walker. Sometimes, that mountain-seeming thing we see in front of us is not really as bad as all that.
Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not in the least tryin’ to minimize the challenges you face each day. Trust me; I know whereof you speak! All I’m sayin’ is, there may not be as big a mountain there as you think.
The truth is, you’ll never know unless you step up to it. But there’s something you can do that might just help you take on even the most challenging of tasks. One simple key.
So what’s the key, you ask? Well, I can give it to ya in just one word. Are you ready? Here it is:
Start!
Yup; it’s like that old Chinese proverb: “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.”
What happens, see, is you may just find it’s not nearly as hard as you thought it might be.
Hey, I’m just sayin’.
What About You?
So what about it, folks? Facing any mountains these days?
I mean, it’s not like I’d call you a liar or anything if your answer was “no”, but… well, you get my meanin’, right? Anyway, if you find yourself stalled and still working up the nerve to begin – what is it that keeps you from moving forward?
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32 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
The mountain I usually face is my own mind. When I let it wander on it’s own, it seems to head for the steepest path. When I give it to the Lord, the playing field levels immediately.
AndyCs last blog post..My MOO Minicards Are Here!
I love that cartoon Robert, and it’s good reminder that we can make more of a meal of our ‘mountains’ than we need to. Sometimes we can shift perspective and find the way in or the way through. And like you say, getting on and doing something about them helps to shrink them too… or make us feel bigger, and better able to keep on climbing.
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Inclusive Language: I, We, and You
Hi Robert, I was climbing a steep mountain a few months ago. Grim determination and faith kept me going. It helps if you can just visualize being on the other side of the mountain. It’s hard to believe as you’re going through it, but it is indeed true that this too shall pass.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..You Are Now Entering the Customer Service Twilight Zone
Robert,
Great advice. I’ve eaten an elephant or two over the years and I’ve found that one bite at a time is a good approach. You just need to get that first bite down. Often, as soon as that is done you get into the mode a bit and can carry on.
Thanks for the reminder
George
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Behavior modification has been one of my favorite hobbies since I was 16 years old, so I’ve had a lot of practice getting myself to take action. I don’t worry when I have trouble getting started because I think in terms of inertia: “A body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion tends to stay in motion.” I don’t make a big deal of it, I just make my first steps tiny just to get going.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..My New Role Model
Well, the mountain we are facing right now is the mountain of surviving this economic recession. Trying to earn enough money to keep the house and pay the bills is mountain enough!
Lucass last blog post..Frugal is good
@Andy – Yup; that’s usually the problem, ain’t it, Andy? Good thing the solution is always available!
@Joanna – Hey, I like the “we’re getting bigger” idea. Except, of course, around the, y’know, waistline. *sigh* But you’re right; as we accept the challenges we face, we grow because of ‘em.
@Brad – Determination and grit are sometimes the only thing that keeps us goin’, Brad. Glad you made it! As Joanna said, you’re a bigger person because of it!
@”Eating an elephant” – good one! Sure feels like it sometimes, don’t it? As you say, a bite at a time is the only way.
@Excellent technique, Jean! Tiny steps – but steps, nonetheless – that’s the answer!
@Lucas – Man, you ain’t just a-woofin’, Bubba! This economy has everyone in a tizzy, I’ll tell ya! But there ARE things that can be done to help protect yourself. Number one, of course, is live without debt. Not too many folks do that these days, but it’s really possible.
Still, I was laid off not that long ago, so I know the big bad economy can still reach out and bite me in the butt, no matter what. So the Mrs. and I have started a side business we expect to bolster up the finances soon. Wish our plan B had been better-developed before now, though… But one day!
Hey, thanks for droppin’ by and leavin’ your two cents worth! A tip o’ the hat to ya!
So true! Sometimes that mountain seems so big it’s overwhelming to even take that first step.
My friend had a joke/saying that relates, “How do you eat an elephant?” One bite at a time.
Why is it sometimes its so difficult to take that first one?
@Val – How to take that first step? I heard something interesting today. We need to stop listening to ourselves, and start talking to ourselves instead! Makes sense, don’cha think?
I think the worst mountains I have ever climbed were ones I made from my own molehills. The last real mountain I climbed was Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire. It’s a relatively easy climb, and the view from the top is spectacular. I guess that’s what makes climbing mountains such good sport. And conquering one’s own mountains or molehills is equally breathtaking. Anticipating reaching the top can make every step lighter.
Terros last blog post..On Throwing Money at the Problem
@Terro – That’s a great analogy, Terro; most of us have experienced the wonders of a view from a height – whether it be from a tree branch, top of a building, or the top of a hill or mountain. There’s just something about that view from above that changes your perceptions of things, isn’t there?
Last time I actually climbed a mountain (it was a while back), I recall the anticipation and reward of a spectacular view. Wow! Totally worth the effort!
Robert, I love the wisdom in this post! Yes, I am facing mountains and oh yea, some look pretty steep but then I am reminded that previous mountains looked insurmountable too but God always hoisted me up.
Ain’t no mountain high enough! Love the post, thanks for the words of wisdom.
Amber Kimball
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@Karen – The mountains we face every day always look steep – that’s why they’re so daunting. but the truth that gets me from this picture is that oftentimes we add more to than there really is – y’know, more peaks to climb, more heights to scale – when in fact it might only be one thing.
*sigh*
Ironically, the best way to find that out for ourselves is to simply climb.
@Amber – Hey, thanks for dropping by the Zone, and a tip o’ the hat to ya!
Not sure how I even happened upon this website but been reading for quite a while now. I thank you for your interesting and motivating posts. Probably a good thing I fell upon these on a dreary depressing Monday – it sure lifted my spirits!
Fear keeps me pretty much in suspended animation. Fear of heights (reaching the goal), fear of falling (only partly reaching the goal and ending up worse than I was), fear of the unknown (I don’t know). I’m also afraid at times that though the first step is right there, what if the land that is in front of me isn’t solid? Then, I back away. And just peer beyond that first step. It’s aggravating.
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@Becky – Glad you dropped by!
@Scott – Try this two-step process: 1) Close eyes, and 2) Step!
Now open your eyes and see where you landed. Rinse and repeat as needed.
To me, mountains = obstacles!
I’m normally have many “mountains” in my daily life, but most of the time, I’m able to climb up the mountains and conquer it. As Marvin Gaye always sang, “ain’t no mountain high enough!”…
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Great point Robert! Just cos you don’t know how you’re gonna do it doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t. I have to remind myself of that so often. As Martin Luther King said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
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@Wilson – I think you’ve got it, Bubba! No mountain CAN be high enough to keep us from challenging it. Go for it!
@Hilda – That’s a great quote, and says it quite well. And generally speaking, we usually only have enough light for that first step. We have no idea HOW it’s gonna work out.
[...] laid off was the beginning of completely different part of my life. It gave me an opportunity to re-evaluate my life and career goals. As a result, my [...]
It’s funny to see the cartoon but this what always happened to me. i always gave up at the point just before the success. hmm, i think that’s my resolution for this 2010. never give up.
@John – Sounds like a plan to me, John!