A Joyous Perspective on Summits: Lessons from the trip.

It's time for another Friday Night Thought Tale Hour with the Henderson's. As you are reading this post, Chris and I will be away taking some time to celebrate a belated relationship anniversary together. We are at a good time of life. And as I wrote about 'Summits' this week on my Joyous Perspectives page, I was coming from a place of complete understanding of what this word means - for the first time in awhile. So like most a great ascension, we learn the most from the trip upward. So tonight's Thought Tale will focus on a few lessons I've learned from my trip and my life's summits. 

I settled on five truths that could have helped me arrive 

on many more Summits in my life.

But like most humans, I had to learn what my definition of a 'mountain top' experience was. It is a unique thing for each of us. Each is defined by what is most significant and who we want to become in our life's story. And, like the will to live, much of it is rooted in one simple word: Desire.

Which brings me to number one. Influenced by a great logical thinker....

"Having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting, it is not logical, but it is often true."

~Spock circa 1967

1. Much of our suffering in life is the result of a desire to have reality be different than it is.

We humans are often just never satisfied. We reach one summit, and we get exactly what we hoped for, and soon we are bored. We never stop to consider along the way that we might arrive and say, "Is that all there is?" So how can we avoid this? For me, it's about being present in each moment of the journey. 

Being present in the moment, even when it is a moment that we did not expect and would not choose, is an excellent antidote to our tendency to create internal distress by wishing that our circumstances were different. It allows us to find eternal purpose, and discover new opportunities, even in the lowlands of life.

There's a reason why coveting is so destructive. It steals our ability to be grateful for what we have. We can find focus and even delight in almost any circumstance if we allow ourselves to be present with ourselves and the experience. 


2. Getting what we cherish most usually, means letting go of something else.

As you go along in life, the climbs can get a little steeper and a bit taxing. We often complicate things when we try to be all things to all people and do too much for too many. In most things, getting what we want comes at a cost somewhere else in our lives. We need to be ready for the great things that come in life but also prepared to give up some things to achieve our goals. It can be as simple as getting up an hour earlier or as difficult as walking away from a toxic person. If you want to get to that summit, you're going to have to bite the bullet and just do it.

3. Our perspective dramatically influences our experience of the world.

Ever feel like your journey to a summit is like walking in circles? Especially if it's a road that you've gone down before, but this time, you hope for new results. I've learned that once again, how I view my place in life is the key to moving forward. Even if we may be in the same spot as we were yesterday, our approach to the day can make it brand new. We can learn so much from facing why we are still there, or why we are treading over the same ground. We need to pay attention to how we are in a place, not just where we are.

4. Appreciating both the climbs and descents are essential to a great journey.

My life has been a series of exciting ups and inevitable downs. No moment at the top has ever lasted forever, and fast descents will be required if I am going to do another beautiful climb.

I could see that neither time at the top of the mountain nor time at

the bottom is permanent and that both experiences are important and intertwined. They are the markers that help to make sense of the larger journey. You may not entirely subscribe to this yet. Just wait, you will.

The only way to get from one place to the next is to put one foot in front of the other, whether it is on the way up or the way down. Stagnation is not an option if you wish to get to a summit.

5. Beauty lies at every step on our path.

This next lesson may make some of you nauseous, and consider me to be a PollyAnna, but it's a lesson I am learning more and more each year of my life. Every place and part of the road to a summit contains some beauty. It's not necessarily obvious, but given the right perspective and attention to detail, you will find it. It's not contrived or imagined, but often harsh and unexpected. It's real. Real beauty is found in the significant moments of our lives and the tiniest corners of our lives as well. You just have to slow down, breathe in, and see it.

And along the way, you need to take some time to 'summit' 

with those significant to the journey...

As my guy and I have reached a summit in our lives, we are now going off to have our own personal summit and take a look at the path ahead. I guess this would be point number 6 in the list of lessons I've learned: Never, ever, take for granted that those key people in your life don't need time alone with you. Perhaps you will not find that much to discuss, but just the effort will speak volumes to your value for their role in your life. 

So tonight, somewhere along Monroe Lake, we will sit together and raise a glass to arriving on a summit. I've created a version of a Salted Caramel Martini for the occasion. It's a little sweet, and a little salty with a little kick. A lot like life and the path to the next summit of our lives. Cheers, Friends!

Joy's Salted Caramel Summitini**

(makes two)

2 oz of Salted Caramel Vodka
2 oz Caramel Liquor
1 oz Godiva Chocolate Liquor
1/2 oz Simple Sugar
Caramel Syrup to taste
Salted Caramel Chocolate for garnish

Rim two martini glasses with simple sugar then dip into salt. Swirl Caramel syrup around the inside. Pour liquors into a shaker filled with ice. Shake hard. Pour into prepared glasses. Garnish with a salted caramel chocolate if you wish. 

**Always drink responsibly. Never drive after drinking alcohol.