Hiking the Maroon Bells: Nature’s Lesson in Perseverance
One foot in front of the other, we trekked our way up the narrow path where the Aspen trees rustled in the breeze, creating a sound somewhere between water running down a stream and that of a joyful musical instrument. We hiked under this canopy of whispering leaves, which shaded us from the sun’s intense afternoon rays and whose beauty encouraged me to carry on, if only to see the next breathtaking vista that would surely greet us around the following bend.
For some, this hike might seem like no big deal. But for me, it was a personal triumph. When we finally reached the lake at 10,200 feet, I paused to catch my breath in the thin mountain air, taking in the alpine stillness. A silent “well done” echoed in my heart.
From Shyness to Strength: My Path to Self-Discovery
I wasn’t the cheerleader or the popular girl in school. I was the shy one, hoping to fade into the background. As an adult, I learned to show up, to navigate social circles, to “work a room” when needed. But the competitive energy of the corporate world never felt like home. What I lacked in ambition to win, I made up for with quiet tenacity. I’ve faced my share of rejection, doubt, and detours—but I’ve always kept going. Like the hike, I move forward steadily, one determined step at a time. People pass me along the way, but I’m not chasing their path—I’m committed to my own.
Quiet Tenacity: The Power of Persistence
A friend once said, “You’re like a dog with a bone—you just won’t let go.” And honestly, that’s me. Stubbornly persistent, often in silence, and sometimes to a fault.
There’s something deeply satisfying about reaching personal goals—especially the ones we keep tucked in our hearts. Mine are experiences I’ve long dreamed of, places I’ve wanted to see, people I’ve hoped to know, and fears I’m ready to face. I don’t share my goals openly—not because I’m secretive, but because they feel sacred. When we open our dreams to too much outside input, we can dilute them. This is my journey, and at the end of the day, I answer only to myself.
Still, I don’t walk alone. My husband is often the one quietly supporting me from behind the scenes. Sometimes he knows exactly what I’m trying to accomplish. Other times, I tell him afterward, “This was a big deal for me.” He’s the one who slows his pace so I don’t feel left behind. Knowing he has my back has given me the courage to go after things I once thought were out of reach.
Climbing Mountains, Slaying Dragons
Climbing mountains—and slaying inner dragons—takes grit. Whether it’s scaling actual peaks or pushing past fear and self-doubt, these quests require courage. They are not for the faint of heart.
Running and hiking up the trails of Maroon Bells—or staying the course while trying to reach a goal can feel like a meditation in perseverance. Sometimes, I’m literally eating the dust flying up off of my husband’s shoes as he bounds ahead of me, but I keep going. Jumping over the steaming pile of freshly laid bear poop only motivates me to run a little faster. I tilt my head to keep the sun out of my eyes, hoping not to glimpse the monsters lurking in the trees (bears and mountain lions, but seriously, I only ever see deer, squirrels, and cute bunnies). So what if a young mother with a baby strapped to her back blows past me like she’s gliding on air? That’s her victory, and this is mine.
Small Steps
In those moments—lungs heaving, legs burning, heart pounding—I remind myself: I’m the warrior running through the forest, challenging myself to overcome my fears that I am either not young, strong or athletic enough to get to the top of the mountain – it’s symbolic of all struggles in life. Small steps are taking me to where I want to go…on my terms, at a pace I can handle.
So shut out the noise and clamor that others are much too happy to provide you with, create that endless bucket list, set your path and direction, and head off to where you want to go, embracing who you are and what you wish to accomplish, one step at a time.