#152

Welcome to Weekly Whisper #152.

It’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves – Edmund Hilary

Most of the challenges we face – personally or professionally – appear to be a combination of inner and outer conditions.

The outer conditions are events, scenarios, circumstances that are thrust in our path often without any rhyme or reason.

The inner conditions are our thought patterns, beliefs and assumptions, stories etc. that influence how we respond to those events, scenarios and circumstances in order to navigate a path through – sometimes intentionally, sometimes accidentally.

One of my kids is facing an outer condition challenge, and I thought I would attempt to help by providing some pithy, motherhood quotes to help her on her way (for context she is spending some time in the mountains).

I simply googled ‘inspirational quotes about being in the mountains’ and these quotes popped out – some of which I liked and shared.

In reflecting on my own set of inner and outer conditions I recognised I have an unhealthy habit of trying to fix (or worry in order to prevent!) a problem I’m going to have in the future that hasn’t happened yet.

In sharing these quotes with my daughter, I was more present in the moment and less thinking - read catastrophising – about something that might happen.

So, here’s a thought experiment for you to try:

1 -- Think of a current challenging condition you are facing – could be inner or outer.

2 -- Have your challenge in mind as you reflect on the below quotes, one at a time.

Observe what it does for your inner conditions. Observe where it takes you – past, present or future?

Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it
ANDY ROONEY

Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
THEODORE ROETHKE

The summit is what drives us but the climb itself is what matters
CONRAD ANKER

You are not in the mountains the mountains are in you
JOHN MUIR

3 -- Reflect on how your inner conditions affect your perception of your outer conditions

I’d love to know what observations you had in trying the thought experiment.

 
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Cheers

Pete