We’re six days into a brand new year and whether you see snow on the ground or not, white slates are everywhere – new beginnings, new resolutions, fresh energy to tackle the changes or move toward the dreams that have long been calling for attention.
For me, though, newness and energy often lead right to the base of mountains that immediately look too big or too steep or too hard to climb. Change is often hard to make and new things scary and old habits really, really hard to break.
Standing at the base of all the things we want to do with our New Year enthusiasm can, with great irony, provide an enormous amount of energy to pour into feeling stuck or overwhelmed or defeated before we’ve even put one foot on any mountain.
I’m wondering if it could be helpful to step back away from whatever mountains each of us might be facing right now and see how vast the company is that we’re in. In our moments of real honesty, aren’t all of us either looking up at some kind of mountain, or looking away from one, too hopeless at the thought of trying to climb it just yet?
This shift of perspective changes everything for me. It pivots me away from an isolated, me-focused view where guts and willpower are all I’ve got (or not got) to make it to the heights I most seek and toward a sense of being “in” something together, where everyone knows and can see clearly how silly it is to expect to climb a mountain in one day (or week, or year, or decade, depending on the size), and how necessary it is to both give and receive whatever tips and help and support we have available to us.
What if our individual mountains could be seen as one collective thing, and the human condition the chance to join forces with whoever else is willing to make that sometimes harrowing, sometimes exhilarating climb together?
Everything Belongs
Seasons are universal. Treat yours uniquely.
Beautiful post!
LOVE the drawings and captions :)
I encourage my coaching clients to think of their challenges as more of a journey through a lovely meadow (with flowers, streams, etc) than a towering mountain before them. We can meander together (perhaps even holding hands through the ‘tough’ parts), taking our time, and enjoying the scenery while we go.
Thanks again for your wonderful, timely blog!
Comment by Lisa — January 6, 2011 @ 6:57 amLisa, that’s so helpful. Shifting out of the mountain metaphor entirely sounds like a really important move.
Comment by Kristin — January 6, 2011 @ 7:48 amI so needed to read this today – on a morning when I’m looking at several mountains. Thanks so much, Kristin. (And I especially love the person saying, “I’ll wait with you while it heals.” So important.)
Comment by Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams — January 6, 2011 @ 9:16 amJust those two images alone — without reading the text between — made me weep. I’m so wealthy with love and community, and I have this pauper’s habit of believing myself to be alone as I face each mountain. Thank you for exposing this contradiction for me, dear Kristin.
Your blog is stunning, welcoming, wise — I will be here often.
Comment by Sage Cohen — January 6, 2011 @ 1:48 pmYes!!
Comment by Corinne — January 6, 2011 @ 5:32 pmBeautiful images, and such a powerful thought.
(loving your blog!)
Thank you do much for such an insightful post with such great illustrations! The timing is perfect for me!! Glad to find your blog on twitter!
Comment by Tammy — January 6, 2011 @ 6:28 pmYou’re so right Kristin .. just seven days into 2011 and I’ve already had a major crashing breakdown. Perhaps I should meander around the foot of my mountain a little longer and gather some company to help me climb it. Thank you so much, I needed this today.
Comment by Yvette — January 6, 2011 @ 9:20 pmYvette, I hope you find just the company you need, truly.
Comment by Kristin — January 6, 2011 @ 11:23 pmAnd Sage, isn’t that so true? I have the pauper’s habit, too. I need every image I create as much as anyone else.
Hello, Kristin! I find my way here by recommendation of a blog-friend, Helen who writes at Dixon Hill… and so glad I stopped by! Your illustrations are wonderfully endearing. And you have a great way with words. I especially like the comraderie you voice here as we being a new year and all it might bring. I have some special goals for this year, but leaving room for spontaneity and fun. Wishing all the very best of health & happiness, peace & joy in 2011! So nice to meet you! :o)
Comment by Tracy — January 7, 2011 @ 6:55 amTracy, delighted you came by!
Comment by Kristin — January 7, 2011 @ 7:56 amWelcome to the wonderful world of putting your heart out there in the world every day!
I just started my blog recently and it’s been really cool… Hope you are finding it to be rewarding, too.
The mountain. Yes. Here I was strolling through that beautiful New Year meadow and suddenly seem to have dropped into an abyss, which can look a lot like a mountain from the bottom, of course. And to know that I am not alone? The saving grace.
Thank you.
Comment by Christa — January 7, 2011 @ 8:37 amJust wanted to reach out and say hello. I love your writing and your images. Thank you for sharing, so glad to have found your blog.
Comment by Themia — January 8, 2011 @ 1:31 pmChrista, so true! – the bottom of a mountain and an abyss have quite the same view. Here’s hoping you find the company you need to make it out!!
Themia, thanks for saying hello! Happy to have you stop by!
Comment by Kristin — January 9, 2011 @ 6:28 pm