CLIMBING MT. OLYMPUS FOR MY DAD

CLIMBING MT. OLYMPUS FOR MY DAD

Last week, I did something that was both exciting and a little terrifying.

My brother and I hiked Mount Olympus here in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s a tough hike, and while my mind still likes to believe I’m 30, my body has a very different opinion some days!

But this hike has been on my mind for a long time.

The last time I climbed Mount Olympus was with my dad, twenty-six years ago. With Father’s Day, I thought this was a meaningful way to honor him….. this time with my brother.

One of the things I admired most about my dad was that he never stopped challenging himself. He never let up on his workload and expectations. His endurance clear to the end was inspiring. He was never afraid of doing the hard things.

As we get older, it’s easy to slowly start putting limitations on ourselves. We tell ourselves we’re too old, too tired, too busy, too out of shape, or that the moment has passed.

But has it?

I don’t think growth, adventure, courage, or possibility come with an expiration date.

Our lives are full of all kinds of mountains. Maybe it’s booking a trip, trying something new, speaking up, or a maybe it is a mountain.

Whatever it is, I hope you don’t wait for the perfect time. Sometimes the perfect time is simply deciding that now is good enough.

And no, none of us are getting any younger. We have so many capabilities, so much life we sometimes give up on.

All the way up that mountain I kept thinking of my dad and what he instilled in me. I had such a feeling of gratitude up 9000 feet. I’m honored to say that I’m so much like him in what’s important to me.

And that, to me, is one of the most beautiful real things of all.

~Shauna XO