“Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.”

David McCullough Jr. 

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There is something alluring about mountains to the human spirit. Their presence alone amazes us, challenges us, and inspires us. They are holy. Shiva sits on top of Mt. Kailash. Moses recieved the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. They make us feel small, yet so alive, when we are amidst them. To me, they are the perfect metaphor for the challenges we all face in our lives. At first, our challenge may seem insurmountable. The bill might be too much or the diagnosis too serious. But step by step, just like climbing a mountain, we can work to overcome our challenges. We may never get to the top, but if we keep on going, we can often find joy in even the darkest moments. 

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Mountains remind us of the permanence and impermanence of life. They were here before us, and will be here long after. But even mountains are created and destroyed. The Appalachians were once as tall as the Himalayas. Some day, the Himalayas will be just as small as the Appalachians. We all are born, and we all die. Just as mountains fade, we will too. But what we do with our time -  climbing mountains, overcoming obstacles, spreading joy, helping humanity - is what truly matters.