“You don’t have to be great to start. But you have to start to be great." -Unknown
I am not a professional mountain climber, so I'm not sure where to even begin preparing equipment and skills that I will need or possible situations I need to expect for hiking. Since English is not my first language, taking the College Writing course that requires many academic writings was intimidating to me as long and challenging hiking trails are to amateurs.
When I was standing at the starting point, very bottom of the hiking trails, I was daunted and full of worries to accept the challenge because the top of the mountains seemed far and far away that I thought I would never be able to reach. I repeatedly asked myself, "Am I capable of this?"
"There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk." -Guy Gavriel Kay
But I decided to take on the challenge and move forward. Once I decided to start the hiking trails, I planned and sometimes challenged myself to find my own style in learning.
At the beginning of the semester, we learned about having a growth mindset before we began anything else, and I tried to apply these new mindsets with every challenge.
Of course, unexpected obstacles may happen during adventures. There were many moments when I was too tired of climbing and wanted to give up everything, and sometimes I even thought that I lost my way.
However, even when I thought I was lost, I found hidden trails full of beautiful nature, and I even learned how to approach learning in creative ways through this experience.
"If you knew who walked beside you at all times, on the path that you have chosen, you could never experience fear or doubt again." -Wayne Dyer
But I was able to keep on going because I had a reliable community like classmates, tutors, and the World's Best Hiking Guide, Professor England!
I was not alone. Because of this supportive community, I was able to take my time and enjoy the little things around nature and continue to climb up with gratitude.
"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." -Napoleon Hill
I moved forward and climbed steadily, and before even I realized it, I was already standing at the top of the mountains with breathtaking scenery. "How did I make it this far?"
Although I was worried and intimated because of my lacked experience or knowledge of hiking, through this experience, I learned that consistently moving forward is the key to learning and growing. It is such a rewarding to look back at how much I have come. Now, I can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery!
"It always seems impossible until it's done" -Nelson Mandela
Honestly, it makes me sad to end this journey because this sense of accomplishment that I am feeling at the top of the mountains is so much thrilling than I ever imagined. I am glad that I didn't give up on this challenge because it makes me want to seek more for the adventures to feel and grasp more of these feelings again.
Now, even if I face a higher mountain, I will not be hesitant to start but will be more excited to take the new challenge!
"Stay patient and trust the journey"-Unknown
I want to tell those of you who are standing at the bottom of the mountains that are hesitant to climb up and take on the challenge like I was at the beginning of the semester.
Leave your worries behind and challenge yourself. You are not alone, so don't worry because it is all about learning as you go, and everywhere you go, there is always an answer.
Be excited! Because the most exciting and beautiful scenery is waiting for you.
Credits:
Created with images by SplitShire - "forest path rocks" • Pexels - "man adventure backpack" • HardebeckMedia - "mckenzie river central oregon forest" • Pexels - "boots girl hiking" • laterjay - "hiking backpack mountains" • denfran - "alpine autumn landscape" • FelixMittermeier - "sunset hiking carinthia" • denfran - "alpine mountains landscape"