Why not…

I don’t climb mountains to see the sights. I mean, I love the sights of the streams rushing down the lush countryside that is the French Alps. Love the views of the cows, goats, and other animals roaming freely across the narrow mountain passes on their way to greener pastures. Love this. Love it all. It’s not why I climb, at least not the root why…

I climb to see myself, my family, and my friends differently.

In 55 days we’ll begin our tour of France. We’ll climb, for 8 days, some of the toughest mountain passes in that beautiful country. We’ll share the camaraderie of suffering. Will change us individually and collectively.

We climb to see ourselves differently, to realize we can do hard things well when we do them together. We climb to shout courage up and down the mountain, to soak in the beauty while taming the beast, to not give into our weaker selves but instead tap into our collective strength. This is why we climb.

Have you found a why worth striving toward? Have you found a few to pull and push along? Have you found a few you want to grow old but not tired alongside? Remember, Nietzsche spoke well regarding your why, friend. “He who has a why can endure any how.” Slow down. Reflect. Maybe it’s time to rinse your CORE purposes – your big whys for work and life.

Live hard. Love harder. Why not…