The Mountain (Narrenkogel)

The plan was 2309m up a mountain.

We got less than a quarter the way up before I burst into tears. Dizzy and afraid.

I wanted to go the whole way, to the peak where the crusade stands tall.

Not having the legs or guts to continue on, and afraid to go back down. Disappointed and frustrated, feeling like I let down myself and my husband.

Thank god for my husband. “It is brave to know your limits”, he spoke to me gently and sweet. "The only one you are disappointing is yourself". And he was right… my ego was frustrated, and I was exhausted and afraid.

The mountains are beautiful and unforgiving. They do not care if your legs shake or your head spins, or if you get yourself so high up you can’t get back down.

They just are, in all their breathtaking beauty. It’s ok to not make it to the mountain peak. Failing does not make you a failure. Attempting things that scare you, knowing you may not make it but doing it anyway, and knowing when it's time to turn around... those things make you brave.

Be kind to yourself, and honor all of the things you try, that you may be brave enough to know your own limits.

And may we always have the courage to test what that means.

csh.