[Week 24.07] It's the Climb

Hello friends, Jacquelyn Lane here, writing to you from the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. This week, we’re taking a much-needed vacation in my beloved home state of Colorado for my favorite winter activity – skiing. Gliding down a mountain blanketed in fresh powder stirs my soul in a way little else can. Skiing is a graceful metaphor for life – balance allows the skier to dance down the steepest pitches, and proper form deploys gravity to propel them forward. I love the smell of pine and the crunch of snow under my skis. Our first day of skiing was a bluebird day – four inches of fresh powder and blue skies. I spotted some untracked powder 150 vertical feet above the lifts with my name on it and decided to work for my turns. These mountains have always been my favorite teachers, and in the limited oxygen at 13,000 feet, the strenuous climb to the summit provided me with three lessons.

Life is lived by the grateful. The hike to the summit isn’t for the faint of heart. Peak 8 at Breckenridge is one of the highest ski resort mountains in North America. Hiking in ski boots and full gear while carrying heavy skis only adds to the challenge. Just as I was reflecting on the grueling effort, another thought came to mind – how grateful I was. I felt gratitude for a healthy body, strong legs, and strong lungs that could make the climb. For the good quality gear that protects me from the wind and cold. Gratitude to have access to and appreciation of the sport I love in an awe-inspiring setting. I am grateful for the opportunity to challenge and surprise myself with the outcome.

Life is lived together. I began the ascent vigorously, fearing that I would be tempted to turn back if I didn’t build initial momentum. One hiker ahead of me turned around, flashed a beaming smile, and said, “Amazing work, you got this!” I was immediately filled with the energy of his encouragement and couldn’t help but smile. This encouragement was contagious, and I passed it on to the other hikers working their way up behind me. At the windy summit, we high-fived and snapped photos and celebrated our individual and collective triumph. Witnessing adds to the joy. It’s not a competition, it was a collective inspiration to be the best versions of ourselves. We were each on our own journey made better together.

Life is a journey. I have hiked to this summit many times, but this hike shifted my perspective. Previously, the hike was an uncomfortable necessity required to reach untracked snow. But this time, I enjoyed the climb. The poet Gibran wrote that "the man who loves walking will walk further than the man who loves the destination." I loved the journey of each step. The achievement feels great, and the view is worth the climb, but as I look back at the tracks of the climb, I see a pattern. Throughout my life, where I truly enjoy the process, the results come more naturally and sustainably. And the rewards are found in each step of the journey, which is itself a work in progress.

In life and leadership, no matter what hill we climb, gratitude, working together, and focusing on the journey are three lessons that always ring true. When we begin from a place of gratitude for those we love and lead, our attitude changes. Witnessing and encouraging others along the way is contagious and multiplies the joy. And when we love the process, we go far beyond the goals and finish lines we’ve set for ourselves. From the top of Peak 8, on a beautiful February day, it was easy to see that it’s not about the destination or the view. It’s the climb.

With love, gratitude, and wonder.

Jacquelyn