We stand at the foot of a mountain. We do not understand why we are compelled to climb it. But we are.
Just the thought of the climb is so overwhelming we cannot bring ourselves to take even a first step.
Instead, we ready ourselves to climb. We train for the day we will begin climbing. We condition ourselves for the climb, so when we actually begin, we will be prepared.
There is merit in preparing. There is merit in training. There is merit in conditioning.
At some point though, ready or not, we must begin to climb.
No matter how much we prepare, the climb will be a struggle. It will be a grind.
But each painful step will be progress, no matter how small. So we take that first step.
Doubt floods into our mind. Abort, it cries! Ignore the cries and remain focused on the next step.
We climb not for money, or fame, or external reward. We climb only to experience the struggle of climbing.
We measure progress only one way: how was our effort?
Don’t look up! The lack of progress will weaken our resolve. Keep eyes forward and take another step. Another. And another.
Our training and conditioning couldn’t fully prepare us for the actual climb. Only actually climbing prepares us to climb.
Don’t look down! We may be tempted to abandon our quest. Eyes forward. One more step.
We’re exhausted. Our mind screams at us to quit. It temps us with visions of a hot shower and comfortable bed, if only we will give up and go home.
Ignore it and stay the course.
At some point, we become immune to the protestations of the mind. It continues to whimper and whine, but we ignore it and trudge onward.
We are now beyond exhaustion. Our initial motivation is long forgotten, and our enthusiasm depleted. Only our momentum keeps us moving forward.
Our body is consumed with pain. But the pain is as glorious as it is torturous. Each step forward in pain is another victory over the one thing that has always held us back.
The Resistance of the Mind.
Each step forward is a victory over the Resistance.
And discovery of our True Power.