The experiences we remember are those times when we traveled the greatest distance, climbed the highest height, plunged the deepest ocean and or faced the scariest challenge.   These are the times in our lives that mark us in some way, that transform us and help us to see what we are capable of. 

We All Need Experiences That Stretch Us And Test Our Grit 

Recently, my husband Charles, and our two sons, Sylas and Andre’, took on a big challenge.  They had four days where each of their schedules allowed for a getaway weekend of some kind.

Of all of the destinations they could choose, within the limits of what’s realistic for a four-day trip, they chose to hike the Grand Canyon.  (You may question just how realistic that is, as did I). Just four days to fly out to Phoenix, AZ, drive up to the Grand Canyon, do this hike, and make it back to Indiana.

And just to be clear, this trek meant hiking all the way down to the bottom and back up, all in one day, before it got dark.  No guides, no mules, no cable cars.  None of them had conditioned or trained for this trip.  Thanks to my sister-in-law, the pointers she gave them about embarking on a hike of this magnitude were nothing short of life saving.

The morning of the big hike, it was snowing and cold. The forecast was for more of the same at the top of the canyon, and cold persistent rain in the lower parts of the canyon.

Don’t Try This On Your Own

Not to be deterred by horrible weather conditions, lack of preparation, or inadequate gear, they moved forward. One step at a time all the way to the bottom. And one step at a time all the way back up. Eleven and a half hours later, they made it out of the canyon after nightfall, with 8 inches of fresh snow on the ground.  Drenched, tired to the bone, sore and cold, but deeply satisfied and exhilarated by the significant accomplishment.

Andre’ recounted the story to me once they returned home. He described getting dad down and back up the canyon as a ‘traveling nursing home’.  Andre’ said it took alot of support and care to get dad down and back up safe and sound. We had a good laugh as Charles told of how he could barely move except for Sylas and Andre’ helping him make it back up!

Their trip reminds me:

1.  Some of life’s best experiences and accomplishments require pushing through challenges that others would not endure.

2. The bigger and more audacious the goal, the greater will be the difficulties to overcome in accomplishing the goal.  Yet, we will see that we have more resources to draw upon than we even knew.

3.  In pursuing a big goal, there will always be moments where it seems crazy to proceed, yet not going forward isn’t an option.

4. Committing in the face of uncertain outcomes opens up the possibility of accomplishing more than ever thought possible.

5.  Accomplishing the goal in spite of obstacles, difficulties, pain, and challenges reveal levels of determination, resolve, strength and fortitude that might be unknown to oneself otherwise.

6.  You will never know what you can accomplish until you try.

 

Great things are done when men and mountains meet.  William Blake

How about you?  What’s a memorable challenge you took on?  What did you learn from it?