"Be a Sherpa" ("Lessons" series)

A continuation of my series on "Lessons from this summer." 🤩 In case you missed it, check out the first one here: Trust your foundation

Several years ago I was hiking in Colorado with my friend, Amy. In Louisville we're ~500 feet above see level, so being in CO at 5000 feet, my lungs weren't working quite as well as they might at home (plus I was probably not used to hiking hills, let's be honest, lol!). Amy shared with me something her son Blake told her on a previous hike: "Be a Sherpa!"

Be a Sherpa!

If you're unfamiliar, the Sherpa people are an ethnic group from the high Himalayas of Nepal renowned for their elite mountaineering skill. They are the guides who get hired to help when someone is hiking big mountains (think Mt Everest), they also help carry gear and manage and more. The Sherpa know that you can't rush to the top, just take one step at a time...

How does this relate to my summer?

Many times in recent months I was in situations where I needed that reminder to take my time, not to rush, just slow and steady. Just like the Sherpa, taking one step at a time.

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On a trip to Europe earlier this summer (which was amazing!!), we moved around a lot. We stayed in 5 different Airbnb's over 12 days, taking public transportation, lugging suitcases over cobblestone streets, up and down SO MANY STEPS (some super narrow), and doing lots of walking in general.

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  Narrow steps in Scotland

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  walking with suitcases

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  STEPS up to Airbnb

One day we climbed the Duomo steps in Florence (463 steps up), then traveled from Florence to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre, and went to dinner at a restaurant ~200 steps up. Whew + amazing views all around!!

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  Climbing the Duomo

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  Top of the Duomo

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  Climbing to dinner in Vernazza

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  View from the top

Then twice in July I had trips to Colorado, one for a family reunion and then a yoga retreat, both times hiking in elevations outside my body's comfort zone. (You can tell I'm struggling in the bottom right pic 😅)

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  Hiking in CO

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  UP the Mountain in CO

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Other times "Be a Sherpa" works

The physical effort needed to climb lots of steps or hiking on a mountain are the obvious places to remember taking just one step at a time, BREATHE, no need to rush...

This is also a great reminder for everyday life.

• breaking down a big project by taking one small step at a time

• when days feel really busy and chaotic, taking a breath and focusing on the one next thing

• instead of rushing through all the things (chores, meals, errands, etc), slowing down to look around, be present and enjoy the process

Where can you apply this in your life? Just remember: Take your time. Breathe. Be present. And most importantly, don't forget to enjoy the journey. ❤️

⭐ I'd love to hear what you think about this. Shoot me an email, or comment with your thoughts!!