If there is one lesson that I have learned in life it is this: Mountains Lie! As an Alpine Mountain Climber, I know this is true because I have experienced it! And as a person who works with clients from all walks of life, I know this is particularly true.
I remember when I learned this principle. I was looking up at a mountain summit and my brain told me “no way! There’s no way I can make it to the top.” But my heart told me the opposite. So, I started to climb and as I climbed, I thought: Mountains lie.
I made it to the top that day and the top of other mountains on other days. I haven’t stopped climbing and I want you to know that you can summit any mountain that you are facing. You just have to understand the truth and what you need to do to overcome them.
Life’s mountains come in all shapes, forms, and sizes and any and all can be conquered if you train yourself how to climb and refuse to give up or listen to the lies that come racing through your mind.
There’s a great life lesson here—one that is powerful—not just for those who are my Perfect Day clients but for you—the person who suddenly is looking up at a mountain in life and thinking, It’s all over. It’s not!
I saw this played out in a very innocent way years ago as I hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with my daughter, who at the time was the youngest female American to summit the mountain. I had no idea whether she could make it to the top or not. She was energetic and was on board with the idea. Still, I had doubts. This is a very high and at times dangerous mountain!
Probably, one of my favorite moments came on day four—which was one of the hardest days of our six-day ascent other than the actual summit day. Suddenly, she just swept ahead of me on the path. I couldn’t believe it. In her eyes I saw the light of determination. We had been hiking for 10 long hours and there she went.
It was at that moment that I knew she had the strength—physically and mentally to summit. Later, she told me that she wanted everyone—young and old—to have this same experience. The experience that comes from summiting a mountain that seems too great to handle. That also was the day that we decided to start a non-profit organization called She Climbs for young girls who want to transition from I can’t to I CAN!
What mountain are you facing that is lying to you? What do I mean by lying? I mean that often in life we face challenges personal, financial, and physical that can overwhelm us. If we take our eyes off our goals and dreams for the future, this will certainly happen. But you were meant to climb mountains and summit each one!
I have been climbing mountains for well over a decade now and I’ve met many women and men who are in transition, whether in passing or via my financial planning practice.
They are divorced, widowed, or empty-nesters, people who are suddenly wondering, Who the heck am I? What am I doing with my life?
I can’t tell you how many people who once never dreamed of putting on hiking boots and going rugged have said to me, “I don’t know what it is, but the next time you hike a mountain, take me with you. I want to climb a mountain!”
I understand. I get it. I’m convinced that each one of us are made for mountain top experiences.
You really do want to conquer the mountains before you. You want to know that you are alive and you can do it. So, my encouragement is: climb that mountain. Run a marathon. Start a nonprofit.
If you are staring at a physical injury or a mountain of pain or loss, find something you can do and do it. Small or large, the challenge to you today is to believe in yourself and get out and live!
Don’t allow that mountain of debt, sorrow, or loss to lie to you! Take the first step to victory and freedom: If you are facing a financial decision, download The Liberated Investor and schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me.
If you what to learn more about how to turn your imperfect days into Perfect Days, schedule a free consultation with me and let’s talk. I believe I have some answers that will help you navigate through this time.
About The Author: Cokie Berenyi
Cokie Berenyi has been in financial services and serving the needs of individual and institutional clients and entrepreneurs since 1996. Mother, author, business owner, financial “samurai” and Perfect Day engineer, Cokie loves food, wine, travel, stray dogs, goat cheese, tennis, and alpine mountaineering.
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