The Climb

“Just focus on your next step,” said Tex. “Don’t worry about the climb ahead.” Those words of encouragement grounded me, and I determinedly took the next step, then the next. I didn’t think about the rest of the climb, just the next step. We were on a hiking path in the Garden of the Sleeping Giants in Fiji. The garden trail along the side of the mountain led to a lookout that promised a spectacular view of the island.

We set out full of enthusiasm. The trail led through a forested area with luscious greenery that created a cool canopy of shade. As the trail progressed, it became steeper, and the trees cleared to reveal the bright, hot sun. That’s when the realization set in that I wasn’t as fit as I thought I was. This hike was physically demanding, and my body and mind were not prepared. I was hot and tired, and the 45-minute trek started to feel like a test of endurance worthy of an Olympic decathlete.

“Just focus on your next step.” For the next 10 minutes, I concentrated solely on that next step. When we made it to the top, I dropped exhausted onto the covered bench and took a few minutes to catch my breath. Then I looked around. The view was indeed breathtaking. The beauty of the island spread out below us in every direction. I was so glad I kept going and didn’t quit when it got hard. I would have missed out on an unforgettable experience of beauty and wonder.

Sometimes in life, the climb is particularly difficult right before the breakthrough. Just focus on taking your next step—one step at a time. When you are feeling doubtful, discouraged, ill-equipped, or just plain tired, don’t focus on how far you have come or how much further you need to go. Just take the next step.