This post is part of the #colorchallenge organized by @kalemandra.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and these two photos fit that bill for me. You look at them and think...that's a pretty nice looking lupine and decent mountain shot....AND?
A few years back, I had set out on a hike with a group of friends. We were going to tackle the Sobranes Canyon Loop in Big Sur which is a 4.7 mile trek with a 1752' gain in elevation. I am thinking, I don't have to tell you that means it's crazy steep (even though I just did.) This was in the dead of winter in California so it was probably around 77 degrees ...that's just how we roll. It became apparent, not long into the hike that I was having trouble keeping up and not long after that I was certain that it wasn't wise for me to continue. I had dehydrated quickly because I was not dressed properly and had not packed enough water...I have not made that mistake again since this day. I also was not in the best physical shape. I decided to head back down the mountain by myself and wait for the group.
A lot happened for me on that trip back. Yes, I got a lot of nice pictures of flowers among other things. At one point, I was hallucinating from lack of water...that was fun! Most significant was that I made some serious, life altering decisions. I was never going to let this happen again! I couldn't fathom missing out on seeing beautiful places because of my limitations, physical or otherwise. Not making it up this mountain was a profound failure that left me embarrassed and so incredibly disappointed in myself. I even deemed this place "Failure Mountain"...seems healthy, right?
From that day forward, I took steps toward getting healthy...eating better and exercising more regularly and intentionally. I ended up losing over 50 pounds! I was also finding ways to forgive myself for what I had once seen as failures in many areas of my life which has been a tougher challenge than shedding the weight and is ongoing.
I did return to "Failure Mountain" (a name I have since retired) and successfully made it to the top, hiking through heavy fog which I found quite symbolic. The view from above the cloud line was amazing! Like the photo of my pretty purple flower, the picture from the summit is so much more meaningful to me than you will ever know. Every time I pass by this place on the beautiful Central Coast of California I am thankful for all it has taught me and all I was ready to learn.
Previously posted in:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008940904112
This post has received a 1.04 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.
wow so nice ...
upvote and follow me @nijhum
Thank you!
Two awesome shots but the story makes this post, its great you took what you saw as a failure and turned it into a positive that has affected many areas of your live and improved them I am sure
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. My life has certainly improved and those decisions I made that day set me on a path I never imagined I would take. I do admit, it has been pretty scary at times but by all means positive.
And you concurred the scary times so be proud and keep onward and upward
The conquering is ongoing. As I see it, onward and upward is the only choice for me. Thank you for your encouragement.
:) your welcome, I have just started to battle my weight i let it go a bit when I gave up smoking now I need to get on top of it, firs week and a struggle but I will get there
I am confident you will get there. Be kind to yourself...something I didn't learn until well into "journey". Seems like a simple concept but it was very foreign to me.
thanks I will take that on board ;)
Excellent story and photos - very entertaining.
Thanks so much!
Awesome photos and story!!!!! This so reminds me of my trip to Horseshoe Mesa in the Grand Canyon quite a few years ago. It took two and a half hours to hike down to spend the night and 5 hours to get back to the top the next day.Water truly is life. When I visit California I will correctly call this place "Success Mountain"but only after I've personally made it to the top.
Thank you! I am a firm believer in sharing our stories...putting ourselves out there. You never know the connections you might make!
Thankfully, my trip to the Grand Canyon came after my Big Sur hikes. Even then, we still almost ran out of water but, man, what a trip!!! Pictures don't do it justice.
Making that hike part of a trip to California is a great choice. Big Sur stretches quite a way down the coast and the views are unforgettable. Contact me when you get here and I will gladly make the trek up "Success Mountain" with you!
I totally agree about the Grand Canyon! All of the pictures of it are in my head and imprinted into my heart...(I didn't have a camera or a passion for photography then) That would be awesome ! Absolutely. Looks like I'll have time to prepare so you don't dust me lol :~)
LOL! I have I feeling I would not "dust" you!
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