Climbing Helps Us See Ourselves and Life In Perspective

Most of us like to feel important. We love to think we're doing better than the other person and have been more successful. Let's face it, deep down inside we want to be at least a little better than the other guy, right?

But there's nothing like a huge piece of granite, a mountain, to help you feel pretty insignificant. Or watch some climbers on El Cap in Yosemite and they look like ants if you can even see them. We're not as big as we think we are when we're set next to something huge.

And that's good sometimes.  Let me suggest why.

First, it keeps us humble. Arrogance and false pride are typically pretty ugly. Confidence is one thing, but cockiness is another and not very attractive. Humility keeps us centered and helps us enjoy assisting others not just ourselves.

Second, our smallness reminds us that there is something or Someone bigger than we are. It's pretty hard to look at the majesty of the universe, much less the mountains, without thinking that there is a reality and power bigger than we are. When we feel like our personal resources are tapped it gives hope to think that there's more out there to draw from.

Third, we are reminded that there is always something bigger to conquer. Our problem may seem huge but someone else always has something worse than ours. And if we overcome our struggle, we can find encouragement to tackle the next one knowing it hasn't been easy.

So next time you're in the mountains or even looking at the stars, take in the greatness of everything around you. Embrace how little you are in comparison.  It doesn't make you insignificant. It's just that more amazing that you do matter. Climb on.