15/08/2020
Today we (me, my brother and my dad) embarked on a hike to climb the tallest mountain in Norway and in North of Europe. We were excited, maybe slightly nervous.. Ready to start the journey at an early hour of the day!
We parked our car at the parking lot, tightened our bootstraps and followed along the path, past the camping site. There were no signs, but there was a gentleman there who took
a photo of us and confirmed that we were on the right path to go to Galdhøpiggen;
well at least I thought that it was what I said..
I suppose, if we have to pinpoint one thing that caused this error, then it would be my complete lack of ability to pronounce any words in Norwegian language, so I could neither pronounce or understand others pronouncing anything..
After about three hours of hiking, 100% confident we are going in the right direction, we finally reached a sign that showed two directions - unfortunately, none of them the mountain
we were looking for!!
I was confused, thinking, maybe there are two different paths that both take us up to the mountain, but I don't remember anything like that when doing my research..
It should have been one clearly marked path!
Luckily, a very well equipped and fit looking German backpackers were fast approaching,
so a quick judge of the character; I figured we can trust them with the question: which is the right way ?!
Without any hesitation, they pointed out to us that the mountain is in a completely different direction - we have to walk all the way back to the car park and from there - go the other way. Turns out that the same letter G is also in the name of a river (Gjende) that is in this direction, so remember that gentleman at the beginning? Turns out that him and I were lost in pronunciation..
We have to turn back and walk for three more hours; returning to the car defeated, having NOT reached our destination!
Disappointment, frustration, anger!!!
Saturday morning hike to the tallest mountain in Norway ended up being a lesson from
the universe – a big slap in my face reminding me that
the journey is what matters most, not the destination!
I never wanted to put myself in the category of "I only care about getting to a destination"
I wanted to see myself as the ‘bigger person’ - one who always finds joy in the failed attempts and life lessons along the way.. but it's quite obvious that I am, like most of us, someone who is so focused on a destination, that often loses the joy of the journey itself..
So there I was, on my way back to the car park, knowing that we will have to postpone the hike until tomorrow, and also change the plans, potentially cancelling other exciting things..
I am not tired. I am well dressed, I am safe, I have water and food. The weather is amazing and the surrounding nature is breath-taking! I am in Norway!
Why is this situation making me so frustrated ?!
Because I had a well mapped plan with a goal post and I was not going to reach it.
Can I step aside, and see the beauty of the journey I am currently on, even if it is going in a completely opposite direction ?
If there is a lesson that you can learn from my mistake it is that we have to really love the journey and embark on a journey that is important and enjoyable.
Our motivation shouldn’t be getting somewhere but rather moving towards something
(even if it sometimes in the wrong direction)
And look around,
It’s beautiful, just being alive!!
Enjoy YOUR journey.
Comments