CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN

“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” - Vince Lombardi

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you could almost taste it? The problem is that often the goal isn’t easy to achieve. When you focus on the journey, you might see many obstacles in your way and feel frustrated.

Do you see a huge mountain, or perhaps many mountains? So, what do you do? Give up? Start your journey? I encourage you to begin your journey, knowing there will be struggles along the way.

I have faced many mountains in my life, and in some cases, I have succeeded, but in others, I have failed miserably. It is easy to give up and go back to your “safe place”. I have found that not succeeding at a goal causes me to experience depression. When I succeed, I am on the top of the world.

I have a couple of examples.

·      I have failed in my goal of losing weight. I have a couple of weeks of sticking with my “new lifestyle” changes, then I go back to the food I like and that makes me happy. (I know that food alone does not make me happy, and that I need to change my mindset.) While I am eating a pizza, I feel satisfied. A couple of hours later, I am sick to my stomach and angry at myself, which leads me to depression.

·      I have succeeded in becoming more of the woman I want to be. I was shy. I did interact with others, but felt uncomfortable and didn’t fit in. I was not respected. When I moved to Fresno, I had a new start. I didn’t change things at first. My accountant asked me to attend Rotary. I kept to myself and rarely joined conversations. I don’t know what happened, but I bloomed and interacted with many. I was eventually elected to the board. I am now involved in many organizations, serve on boards, and am respected.

I am sure you have experienced both the ups and downs of reaching for success.

Here are some steps to deal with obstacles that feel like mountains, blending both practical wisdom and emotional strength:

🪨 1. Acknowledge the Mountain

Don’t minimize the challenge. Admitting that something is difficult doesn’t make you weak; it makes you honest. You can’t climb what you won’t face.

“You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.” – Dr. Phil

🧭 2. Break It Down

Large obstacles often feel impossible because we focus on the whole mountain rather than the next step. Break your goal into smaller, doable steps — daily actions that lead upward.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

💪 3. Strengthen Your Mindset

Shift your perspective: instead of seeing the obstacle as a wall, see it as a workout for your faith, patience, and resilience.

Try affirmations like, “This is preparing me for something greater.”

🧤 4. Ask for Help

Even the best climbers use ropes and guides. Don’t be afraid to ask for support from mentors, friends, or God.

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb

🌤 5. Rest, Don’t Quit

Sometimes the climb is exhausting. It’s okay to pause and catch your breath. Resting is not failure; it’s recovery.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” – Anne Lamott

🪶 6. Remember Your ‘Why’

Your motivation is your compass. When the climb feels impossible, remind yourself why you started and who you’re climbing for.

🌺 7. Celebrate Progress

Don’t wait until you’ve reached the peak to celebrate. Every small victory deserves recognition. Gratitude gives you the strength to keep climbing.

✨ 8. Keep the Faith

Trust that every mountain—no matter how steep—can be moved or climbed with persistence and prayer.

“Faith can move mountains, but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel.” – Unknown.

I encourage you to keep working on your goals and reach for your dreams.

Have a great week.