the journey
the journey to any destination takes several steps if it was just the destination that was important then anyone could "climb mount everest" by taking a helicopter to the top, or even just photoshopp9ng their photo there.
the dread journey is no different then the journey to the highest peaks, or even to the stars.
you dont earn the destination by taking shortcuts, or by faking your way there, you earn it step by step through the hardships and trials that make it a dificult destination to reach.
when you reach that peak, near frozen to death, unsure if you will pas out and du=ie from lack of oxygen and decreased bloodflow due to hyper thermia you will know you truly earned the photo you take from the peak
but if you fly on up in a heated helicopter step out to a breathtaking cold and breathtaking view to snap your photo and leave before the cold even settles in to numb your fingers you will remember the view from the top maybe the pleasant conversation with the pilot along the way but you will not have the memories of every step a struggle of the pure willpower it took to take another step and survive ..
and then theres the other guy, proudly (or not so proudly) displaying a photo ..a photoshopped photo of himself in jeans and a t shirt standing at the highest peak unfazed by the cold he never came close to...
perhaps he tells a story to go along with the picture to impress the oposite sex (or should i say preffered) he puts on the appearance of a man whos been there done that but lacks the memory. the experience.. the growth and self determination it took to carry on when others would turn back..
even the view from the top is experienced diferently from each perspective
the t shirt guy is 2 dimensional no awe no mystery , it might as well be as mundane as the brick wall outside his office window where he once saw a squirrel scurry by without leaving any permenant impression
helicopter guy remembers the view as awe inspiring and beautiful but the cold biting at his lungs doesnt let him enjoy it long before snapping his picture as proof hed been there and moving on
now the true climber might be close to death..unsure if he will ever make it back down but tears fill his eyes and freeze onto his cheeks, he falls to his knees taking it all in in a profounde awe that he will never forget for an instant wether he lives or do=ies this momment is the defining momment of his life..worth risking it all in fact if staying another momment means death then he will stay and experience that death too..
days may go by as he memorizes every detail the sun sliding up the slope he had climbed only hours or days ago..the shades and hues of the valeys far below.. the profound isolation of being one of few men whod ever made such a journey..if it wernt for the deadliness of being there hed live there forever..with reluctance and profound regret he begins the painful journey home frozen step by frozen step wondering how many toes would be lost for such exquisite memories..again he realizes if he dies and loses it all that memory still was worth it..
i love this, makes me believe that this will all be worth it in the end
That was a beautiful way of putting it. It's always amazing when you earn something through hard work and not just cheat your way to the top!
All the truer when you can help someone along the way
Man, amazing text, it is so motivating!