I tried to climb the mountain today. As i inched my way up the path, I felt out of breath and I had to turn back.

I tried to climb the mountain today. But it was so hot outside, I thought I had better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest up for tomorrow’s attempt.

I tried to climb the mountain today. On my journey, darkness started to fall and I was full of fear, so I had to return to a safe place.

I was ready to climb the mountain today. But I had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain, I took care of much more important tasks. I washed my car, mowed the grass, and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait.

I was going to climb the mountain today. But as I stared at the mountain in its majestic beauty, I knew I had no chance of making it to the top, so I figured why even begin trying.

I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today, until a friend came by and asked me what I was up to lately. I told him I was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how I was going to accomplish this task.

Finally he said, “I just got back from climbing that mountain. For the longest time, I told myself I was trying to climb that mountain but never made any progress.

“I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why I could not make it up the mountain, but never once did I give myself a reason why I could. One day as I stared at the mountain and pondered, I realized that if I didn’t make an attempt at this dream all my dreams will eventually die.

“The next morning, I started my climb,” he continued. “It was not easy, and at times I wanted to quit. But no matter what I faced, I placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow me over the edge, I kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed, ‘STOP!’, I focused on my goal, never letting it out of sight, and I kept moving forward. At times, I was ready to quit, but I knew I had come too far. Time and time again, I reassured myself that I was going to finish this journey. I struggled to make it to the top but I climbed the mountain!

“I have to be going,” my friend said. “Tomorrow is a new day to accomplish more dreams. By the way, what are you going to do tomorrow?”

I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes and said, “I have a mountain to climb.”

– Gary Barnes

Make no mistake about it: we all have mountains we must climb if we are to be who we are truly meant to be, to live our lives to the fullest, to step into our purpose.

We can “try” to climb the mountain….or we can actually climb the mountain.

Note: Do not let yourself be sidetracked the “hills” that you proclaim to be a mountain. Don’t be fooled by what’s really a molehill.

I believe Yoda said it best, “There is no TRY…only DO.”

What’s YOUR mountain?

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