Climbing the Relationship Mountain@ The PNW
Grand Teton National Park. Taggart Lake Loop; 3.8 miles.
The mountain symbolizes a man. The trail symbolizes progress. The peak symbolizes objectives. As I am hiking to the top I start to associate the similarities of mountains to human relationships. In both cases, there are questions about the unknown and nerves that appear unexpectedly. Both are about creating opportunities and finding the best path to get to the top.
How to hike a mountain relates to the experience of getting to know someone for the first time. That first encounter, where sharing ideas and conversations feels good, and turning those discussions into something real, is elevating.
“The topography of the mountain is shaped by thoughts, feelings and behaviors”
The word anticipation jumps in and I remember all the research I did about the trail; weather, altitude, miles, animals, elevation, and route type. In relationships the anticipation runs high, especially in the beginning. While sometimes it is hard not to overthink, it is energizing to think about all the ways this could go.
Rocky Mountain National Park. Sky Pond Trail; 10 miles. Mom from the top.
The unknown appears to be relevant when climbing a new mountain. I am wondering if I am capable for this hike. I feel physically exhausted. I am trying not to trust my impulses towards immediate gratification. It's about the process, the difficulty and the path. I go back to the mountain is the man and I am trying to think of different ways to make this relationship work. Is this the right fit?
“Mystery requires surrender. We will not know or heal everything. It stimulates fear and we seek to control fear. However, there is something quite potent in waiting in silence and having life unfold”
Ups and downs, this trail is harder than I expected. My legs are sore and my knees hurt. The same holds true for relationships; that feeling when everything seemed perfect and things were working towards the best direction. At this point lows were not expected until they started to appear. It is hard to commit to a time; there are different expectations and daily compromises. High’s and low’s, I remind myself. The peak and the valley are right around the corner. Only a small percentage of people will continue the journey for a better destination. But the path is what will lead to growth, physical and emotional.
Olympic National Park. Mount Storm King; 5.3 miles.
I get to the top of the mountain and I feel an “aha moment”. I was closer than I thought. I re-define the word reward and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to construct something that is mine; it is not only about the view point, it is about everything that is happening while I get to the view point. I remember that relationships are great but it is the journey-of-getting-there that I honor the most.
“Mountain can be interpreted as height. To ascend a mountain=to get to the top. Work=labor. The underlying sense of this may be, “By labor one gets to the top”
-The Psychology of Dementia Praecox, Carl Jung.
@Glacier National Park, Montana.
