Climbing Through Life- One Step At A Time
It was exhilarating. And hard. My legs were fighting not to buckle in with every move I took forward. The incline made it feel as though 5 pounds had been added to my ankles each time I lifted a leg, quads shaking and calves screaming. I moved faster but only with the motivation that the cool breeze would dry some of the sweat beginning to form near my scalp and drench tiny strands of my hair.
The air was cold, but the sun was warm, so I kept going.
The fleece jacket tied around my waist moved up and down, fighting to stay around my hips while we moved at an unsteady pace. We were running up five steps, then slowing down for two, and then repeating the process. Some lingered behind, willing themselves to catch up.
The single-file line we formed probably made it appear more like a military boot camp we were enduring, though I’m not sure belting “Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty would be accepted in military training.
Our goal was to complete one of our friend’s bucket list items: Climb every single step in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
This goal proved to be more challenging than we originally planned, but all of our friends were together; I love a good challenge. I’m not sure how many steps it was, but it’s slightly different from the 30 minutes you spend on a Stairmaster at the gym. The leg-shaking sensation will prove this to be true after about an hour has passed, and you’re only half-way done.
As I grasped the metal railings in the aisles of the largest stadium in Florida (and no. 18 in the world), I got to thinking about the steps I was climbing.
Though we are in similar places, my friends and I are each at different paces.
Some are determined to lead the line and run most of the steps we climb. Some are content to follow and enjoy the experience, knowing they climbed to the best of their ability. No matter what pace we were at or where we are in the step count, we all worked towards the same goal: to climb every step in the stadium and finish it strong.
And that’s where I think the goals we set for ourselves and the pace we try to reach them at is a lot similar to this.
As I get older, transitions happen, and it’s not easy to maneuver through the staggering changes of uncertainty. The pace is confusing, and the steps can be a little harder to reach- our strength fails, and sometimes it’s a little painful to climb up those steps that once seemed (or appeared ?) so easy. Right now, I’m transitioning from a season of resume building and studying vigorously to one of job searching and making decisions timidly.
It is life, and it is how change goes, but it doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. It’s more like a climb in the stadium.
Navigating through the transition can feel exhausting. Our legs are aching, breath panting, and lungs gasping for air- and water. It’s challenging and complicated, and we don’t know if we can make it up another step.
We become amused with the choice of quitting, considering the temptation that everything would be easier if we stopped- right before we reach the finish line.
It’s easiest to remember: We only need to take it one step at a time.
When we look at the entire stadium we are made to climb, we may feel overwhelmed by the mission in front of us- pressure and pain being two main emotions. It will feel discouraging, and we will feel intimidated to have it accomplished in the time frame we think is best in the way we think it’s best.
But when we focus on the step in front of us, it gives us the strength and power to finish the mission and finish it strong.
Taking one step at a time allows us to focus on intentionality with where we are while still having our eyes on the end goal. Climb one step, and then climb the next. If you keep doing this, you will see you have eventually climbed the entire row, and then another, and before long, the whole section. Eventually, the whole stadium is finished, every step is touched, even if it hurts a little to get there.
There are going to be high points and low points in life. When you put in all the hard work, sweating and aching as you make it up the row to the tip-top, there’s time to rest and enjoy the view. You’ll find a rewarding view as you pause to look out at how far you’ve come with the progress still to be made.
Finally, ready and rested, you head back down to continue your journey, and going back up the next row is a little more complicated than you imagined- a learning lesson disguised as an obstacle.
Somewhere between the bottom and the top, you find contentment in the in-between because you’re just taking it one step at a time.
I don’t know where you are or what step you are on towards your goal right now, or if you even know what the end goal is. But I do know that you don’t need to be overwhelmed by the whole stadium. You only need to focus on one step at a time.
One step will take you exactly where you need to be.
Celebrate the experience. Celebrate the small victories. Celebrate the steps you have taken and the ones you will take, the highs, the lows, the pressure and pain, and everything in between. You are right where you are supposed to be at the time you are supposed to be there.
Enjoy the climb.
One Comment
Ma
This is so good and the words so true. Keep climbing, sweet girl! You’re doing awesome. Look how far you’ve come