Life Lessons in the Mountains

This past weekend, my daughter and I took a mom-and-daughter trip to the mountains. It’s a favorite, happy place for us both - and a great place to enjoy being together ahead of her leaving for a period to live, adventure, and start her career in London.

I saw a sign that said: “The mountains teach us things we can’t learn anywhere else.” This has certainly been true in my family - and it was true this weekend.

I wanted to share what we learnt this time around...

1. Taking time away offers untold gifts and unearths treasures nothing else can access.

   
   

2. When you lose the path - which you will - go back to where you were last certain you were on the right path. From there, you will have access to viewing the route afresh. The right path will come clear. Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards, and sometimes you have to stop to be able to go where you want to go.

   
   

3. Orienting is key. If you don’t put the correct GPS coordinates into the navigation system (the brain), you will go in circles or land up far from where you wanted to go. That takes slowing down so you can be clear on where you are headed.

   
   

4. Walking really is the best relationship hack there is.

   
   

5. Nature is the best healer and holds the space for healing, connecting, and growing.

   
   

6. Time is more precious than anything else. Of the resources we have at our disposal - time, energy, and money - time is by far the most valuable. We can't afford to waste it, because every minute spent is potential spent. My unconscious reaction to that knowing is often to rush and stress. The mountains remind me to slow down and be present for every minute. No minute truly experienced with presence is a wasted minute.

   
   

7. You are so much more resilient and strong than you realise. When you think you are exhausted and near the end of your capacity, you are in fact nowhere near the bottom of the barrel. It feels good to push yourself, get uncomfortable, and test your limits. It’s exhilarating and connects you to yourself like nothing else does.

   
   

8. Keeping on climbing gives you access to ever-new vistas and beautiful new views. The motivation comes from the unending rewards that your efforts bring.

   
   

This is such a metaphor for life... because whatever we experience as we climb a mountain, we experience as we engage with the mountainous challenges our lives offer us. It couldn’t have been a more powerful set of life lessons for my daughter - at the threshold of taking on the big wide world, far away from the security of home. Nor for me, moving into the next chapter of letting her go and letting her fly.

If any part of this reflection speaks to where you are right now – whether you’re facing change, letting go, or simply trying to find your footing – I invite you to pause, take a breath, and tune into your own inner compass. The path may not always be clear, but it is always unfolding.

I’d love to hear what this brings up for you. Share your thoughts in the comments – let’s keep the conversation going.

With love,

Sue