Monday, October 20, 2008

Mountain Peak

I did a course today and we were asked to write a detailed description about an image very similar to this one. We could go in any direction our heart told us to. Some people were super positive and talked about the meaning, beauty and the accomplishment of reaching the peak. Some just touched the surface about the experience of climbing it and the sights, sounds and smells they could imagine.

Mine turned into something a little more morbid than I would have hoped, but I think it's a true reflection of some of the things I am dealing with right now.

"I put everything I had into conquering this massive beast. It meant the world to me. The vision I had of myself alone at the peak of existence, brilliant blue sky and crisp, tingling air touching my face was incredible. The journey to the top was beautiful. The challenge was overwhelming, consuming and it drove me beyond my preconceived limits. But now, as I am perched on an ash coloured boulder, I feel alone. I don't feel the serenity, solitude and calmness I expected. I feel empty and anxious. My toes are frozen. My heart is heavy. I am disappointed in myself because I have reached the ultimate and I can't appreciate it's marvel. Instead of being silent and content, breathing in every ounce of this dream, I am fixated on what comes next and how in the world I will make my way down."

What would you write about?

Kyle

13 comments:

Sherylificus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sherylificus said...

At least you've reached the top. I look at it, and wonder whether my obstacle will be insurmountable. I keep thinking that, no matter how much time and energy and passion I put into it, it is still possible that I will never make it.

Anonymous said...

wow, that was beautiful! i really love your writing..

for me, i guess it would all be about reaching the top..can we ever really reach the top? Wouldn't that mean perfection? And i suppose even if we did reach the top, there are still other peaks to climb.

Anonymous said...

I think I understand, although I've got some mountain left to climb.

Climbing this mountain has been thrilling, torturous, exciting and painful. I have dreamed about being able to stand at the top and finally being able to breathe. But getting closer, I wonder if it's going to be everything I imagined. What if I get there, and I still feel like I do right now? What then? I am frustrated it has taken me so long. Why couldn’t I have been better at this? Sometimes, it’s only pride that keeps me up here. I should be proud of what I have done so far, but all I can see are the missteps and the things, I now know, I could have done better. And, I still have to figure out what mountain comes next...

Anonymous said...

man, that is deep. sounds like a true writer to me.

Anonymous said...

I don't think that the truth can ever be morbid. I thought that was beautiful.

For me, I guess it would be about actually getting to the top. Sometimes, the sheer size of things overwhelme me, and I let things go without trying. Getting to the top would mean actually overcoming my insecurites and reservations and just climbing.

Anonymous said...

i seem to have reached the top of one peak. that sense of accomplishment hits me like a wave. but then, as i take a look at the blue skies, the fresh air, and hear the crunch of the snow beneath me, i realize that all around me there are higher, more challenging peaks. peaks that i may not dare attempt to climb. i begin wondering why i never chose to start with a higher mountain, climbed harder...but as i take another breath of the cold, frigid air i realize that i'm comfortable with where i am. and when i'm ready i WILL climb that next mountain. hopefully.

Anonymous said...

its so perfect lets not soil it by putting mans foot prints on it we can look but not touch its OK not to conquer

Unknown said...

There is this amazing feeling that exists in the vertex of fear and exertion; it is both agony and ecstasy at the same time. Sometimes it feels good and we never want to go back down. Other times it feels horrible and we want nothing more than a loving hand to guide us to safety.

This is the essence of risk.

Anonymous said...

Maybe it's not about getting down, but being open to recognizing what's over the next peak...

Anonymous said...

It's not about reaching the top, it's about the JOURNEY to get there. It's life....Sometimes we succeed, sometimes not, sometimes we have re-evalutate the goal and take a different path, or even change the goal itself. It's constantly "What's next?"

Anonymous Sr. Lady

Anonymous said...

wow amazing writing i'm astounded at your thoughts they intrigue me

Anonymous said...

"It's something I thought I'd never achieve. Years and years went by. There were times I thought I couldn't make it. But I did. Now, I'm seeing it differently. What did I get from it? Taking in the beautiful scenery was quite and experience - the smell of something pure and fresh, the sunlight, the feeling of being on top of the world - but was it worth the struggle, the sweat? the pain, the doubt? the cold? the time? the hope?"

P.S. I love your blog. There's something about your posts that inspire me to think, sometimes. Other times, I just find them really fun to read.