It seems that all good things in life require some kind of trial-by-fire and moving to paradise is no exception.
Today will be our last full day in what we’ve come to affectionately refer to as “the rooster apartment.” For the last two weeks, we’ve been greeted at 3 am by roosters crowing across the street. Sleep has been evasive. and we’re still thrilled to be here! (Now that’s saying something!)
The month before our move we had been working non-stop in preparation. From 5 am we were packing and fixing and sorting until we’d collapse at the end of the day. By the time we poured ourselves on the plane we were too exhausted to think. We were on our way! Little did we know we still had to pass the rooster-torture-test to get to the finish line!
But I’m reminded that this is just part of the natural way of things.
Before every great view, you have a steep hill to climb. Before every great accomplishment, you have to do the work it takes to earn it. To expect otherwise is simply a fantasy.
Thus, it goes with moving into our new house in Costa Rica!
What if we were to bring this awareness into every aspect of our lives? If, instead of expecting things to be easy, we trained ourselves for the hard?
But maybe it’s that very awareness that keeps people from reaching their dreams? Maybe it’s a survival instinct to avoid what’s difficult?
If that’s the case, then what if we learned to embrace the hard as a rite-of-passage? To welcome the difficult, uncomfortable, painful climb and trust in our heart-of-hearts it’s leading us to the top of the mountain?
Whatever your mountain might be.
So, tomorrow, we enter our new home ready to begin the next adventure. Knowing that there will be difficulties to overcome and miles to climb.
For don’t you know? Once you reach one peak, there’s always another…
Let your personal journey grow you. Know that each obstacle is simply a rite-of-passage preparing you for the next. Trust that you will reach your aim and that will prepare you for your next challenge.
So, it goes. Life is one challenge after another on the journey to reach your full potential.
©A Thoughtful Company, LLC
I love this Kimberly , We have many hills to climb and we are rewarded with many great views.
Kimberly,
Love watching your journey… and I love this comment best: “Little did we know we still had to pass the rooster-torture-test to get to the finish line!”.
From my experience, I was left with the question: “Is it a finish line or a rest stop”? Feels like it is all a process and it is all progress.
That ‘next’ thing we are taking on is always ‘next’. That is the beauty and the magic of being awake, aware and alive.
Kimberly
Like Simon I have been uplifted and inspired by your courage and positive attitude on this Costa Rican odyssey, as you rightly infer, a major challenge. In spite of those challenges (particularly the Rooster) on an hourly and daily basis, your posts have remained upbeat, inspiring the reader to embrace and share your optimism, with a view to adding to their own daily mantra. The generosity of sharing this experience will I believe, enrich others attitudes and way of life. Finding and climbing their own mountains, setting up a base camp and finding a way to the top. Probably not stopping there, as often mountains come in ranges, and to echo your wise counsel, look back at what you have learned then look forward, to identify the next peak and embark on that journey, revived by your experiences and newly acquired knowledge, equipping you to overcome new challenges, this time stronger and with more enthusiasm, rather than trepidation. This was a great read, thank you.
Dear Kimberly,
Since you moved to Costa Rica, I have felt that I have been with you and your family; helping to shift things around, pausing to view the spectacular scenery! And then a pause for a drink. However the idea of being woken up by a rooster, I will leave to you!!
Challenges when overcome; Then you look back and feel that if it were not seen as a challenge the energy and determination may not have been brought on board and energized.
Moving to another location in your own country is one thing, but to a totally different country, quite something. I reckon it takes some ‘Brave Leadership’!
You have certainly made a move that you love, for the enthusiasm glows like a light.
Obstacles are there to climb; like mountains, but given your equipped for such adventures, the challenge becomes a success and you seek another mountain, with the knowledge that you will get to the top.
Super article Kimberly