Learn to be your own best cheerleader. It’s great to have people who will encourage you, push you and urge you on, but there comes a time when you must be willing to speak to yourself, cheer yourself on when the only one around is you!
A few months ago, I joined a team from work on a walk up the popular Aburi mountain route. While a part of me was excited about finally climbing up, the other part of me that doesn’t like heights was not too thrilled but I was determined to do it anyway. So we set off at about 5:30am down the hill from Peduase Lodge amidst fog and a light rain. Going downhill off course was no big deal just that my untrained muscles were not used to that much work on an early morning!
I made it down coming in almost last in my team, took a nice photo (because I could still smile!) and started the climb back up hill. And then the drama began…
After about fifteen minutes, my knees began to protest! (we didn’t bargain for this please!) As much as I tried to quicken my pace, my legs didn’t seem to understand what was at stake. The faster I tried to walk, the more heavy they felt. I looked up and wondered when I would make it back to base. I wished I had longer legs to help me walk faster!
One colleague was so encouraging and stayed ahead of me urging me on as I climbed up. As I heard his encouraging voice I moved on, while feeling guilty because I knew he was a marathon runner and was having mercy on my poor self otherwise he would have been way up by then!
I was sorely tempted to hop into a car and end my misery but I said to myself no girl, you’ve got to finish this course, you’ve got to be able to tell the kids that Mummy made it up the hill, you’ve got to be able to look in the mirror and say I did it! And so I pressed on, tired and panting but determined to make it to the top at my own pace.
There were some walkers I had met on my descent that I encountered again as I was ascending. I had much more respect for them now!
A young couple walked past me at a point and how I wished I had a walking partner then! I saw them stop a few metres ahead, enjoy the scenery and forge ahead. I loved how the guy was urging the lady on. I thought to myself; ‘two are always better than one’; when one falls the other can pick him up. It made me think about the power of two and how it creates more synergy and injects more energy into situations, relationships and especially in marriage.
I met an older couple also going down. We nodded in greeting as they passed by. I thought it was so sweet. Growing old together, staying fit together! The lines on their faces told a story of many mountains and valleys crossed over the years and they were still doing it together. I said to myself, ‘that’s what I want for my marriage, doing it together for life’! And I want to be strong and fit enough to do this at their age! So help me God!
A number of runners and walkers passed by me on the upward trail, I looked at them admiringly! Eish! Running up this hill! Respect!
It reminded me that in life you have to keep to your path and run your individual race. If I decided to run like the more agile ladies and gents who I was admiring (and envying I might add!) I would pass out right there on the hill. I didn’t have the energy or fitness level for that! At least not yet! But it didn’t mean I couldn’t get to the top. Some would get there faster than I, but if I kept putting one foot ahead of the other, eventually I would get to the top. (And to the top I got…finally!)
I guess the regular folks could tell I was a rookie (and a suffering one at that) so I got a few words of encouragement from some who passed by me. It was heart-warming to be cheered on by complete strangers and I was grateful. It served as a reminder to me; in life everyone is on a journey, you may have walked the path others are now finding their way on, send a word of encouragement to them! Sometimes your smile, your nod, your words of affirmation can go a long way to cheer them on and keep them focused on their journey and help them believe in the possibilities of their dreams!
Half way up, a colleague who was late to the party met me and joined me for the rest of the walk back to base. It was more fun having a partner to chat and pant with! At this point, I had decided I was not in a race so I decided to enjoy the view. I also found that my initial fear about getting dizzy due to the height was unfounded. It was a lovely walk even though every muscle in my body was protesting!
Chatting and stopping to enjoy the view a few times (and alright yes to catch my breath too!) I finally made it back to base. Hurray! My legs still felt like lead but it was worth it! I did it! I made it up! I didn’t quit, I didn’t cop out and that was victory enough for me!
This made me think about Jesus and the journey to the cross. I could just imagine a tired, battered, bruised Jesus walking up to Golgotha; He did it all for you and I! It was tough, it was painful and agonising but He did not turn back, He did not give up on His assignment until He could say “It is finished”! Oh Lord I need so much more of your enduring spirit in my life!
“Looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”. (Hebrews 12:2)
There are things you need to despise to get to where you need to go! Jesus despised the shame of the cross, He counted not the curses of men who spat on Him, scourged Him and made Him carry His own cross. He looked forward to the salvation of men’s souls and paid the price to make it a reality. What price are you and I willing to pay to see our dreams, our goals achieved? What is that thing you must despise, let go off to make it to the top?
For me I had to despise everything that was going on inside my body and my head that would have made me give up! So my biggest lesson? Learn to put one foot in front of the other, that’s all it takes to make progress towards your goals! That first determined step must be followed by another and another and another until you are moving in the direction you need to go and get to your desired goal! When the going gets tough, just keep going! Winners never quit and quitters never win!
