The Winter Holidays can be tough.
How are you doing? Focusing on the things you can control? Thinking happy thoughts?
I live in Colorado - grew up with a giant picture window looking out over the Front Range. Big mountains that the sun sets behind every day. It never occured to me that I could climb those mountains. Until the day I thought - I bet I can. I started with no training, no knowledge, wearing jeans, not carrying enough water, a compass or other essentials. Would you believe I set out to hike a 13,000 foot mountain in this manner - and went up the wrong mountain? Yep I did.
I figured out my error, went back down and then back up the correct mountain - Mt. Sniktau. When hiking at elevation you should start early to avoid thunderstorms...whoops. But - I DID it!
I had the summit to myself, I did it all myself, and I stood there at 13,240 feet above sea level and said - I am going up from here! I went on to hike 7 14,000 foot mountains that summer including Pike's Peak.
I did decide to educate myself, and I never hiked at altitude alone after that. I also learned to wear the proper clothes, never hike without a compass and other essentials and I am still learning. I learn from those who went before me. I learn from their mistakes and I learn from my own stumbles.
The point of this is - you CAN do what ever you set your mind to do. Alone you can have success and with guidance it is so much easier.
The only reason I stopped hiking is that I got pregnant, and I imagine next year the wee one will be ready to hike at elevtion. My son hiked his first 14er with me at 7, wee one will be 6...AND his time I won't be taking smoke breaks at elevations where the oxygen is already incredibly thin(so stupid) nor will I be hiking out stinky butts.
Believe in yourself. Remember that smoking has never made anything better. It doesn't make mean people nice, it doesn't make money problems disappear, it won't improve your relationship.
All you have to do is decide not to smoke that one. Over and over. Just that one.
❤️ you CAN do this!
~Lisa (Eli)
