Beyond the Mountains, More Mountains

Even at the top, there’s more work to do

Life is like a puzzle—one where the pieces never quite fit the way we expect. Just when we think we’ve found the right piece, another gap appears. The challenge isn’t in finishing the puzzle, because we don’t truly complete it until the very end. The real work lies in staying curious enough to keep searching, resilient enough to keep trying, and humble enough to accept that the picture is always changing.

In much the same way, each time we crest one peak, another rises to greet us—sometimes daunting, sometimes inviting, but always there. The Haitian proverb reminds us: “Beyond the mountains, more mountains.” This isn’t a lament. It’s an invitation to keep going, to keep discovering, to keep putting the pieces together and keep moving forward.

Equip Yourself for the Climb

To thrive in this ever-unfolding terrain, we must become deliberate about the tools we carry. The best climbers don’t just rely on strength—they prepare with intention. They study the path, anticipate the weather, and know when to pause, breathe, and reassess. In life, our “gear” is built through discipline: a commitment to self-care, a practice of introspection and reflection, and a dedication to learning. Resilience isn’t born in moments of ease. It’s forged when we choose to pack wisdom and grace alongside our ambition.

Honor the Body That Carries You

Our bodies are not merely vessels that carry us from one moment to the next. They are the silent partners in our persistence. Too often, we push them to their limits without offering the gratitude they deserve. I encourage you to pause to acknowledge your body’s resilience— lungs that expand with possibility, a heart that beats in defiance of fatigue, and muscles that hold the weight of both dreams and burdens. To climb well, we must care well.

Commit to Practices That Strengthen the Spirit

Resilience isn’t a trait—it’s a practice. Like any well-trained guide, we must cultivate habits that keep us steady when the path grows steep. Meditation teaches us to quiet the noise. Therapy shows us how to navigate inner terrain. And a deep, abiding connection to purpose keeps us moving when motivation falters. These are not indulgences; they are the fuel that keeps us ascending.

This Year, My Mountains Came in Waves

For me, the past year has been one mountain after another. I kept thinking that surely, after navigating the steep and sorrowful terrain of losing my mother, the path would level out. I believed, as so many of us do, that after conquering one hard thing, life would offer a stretch of ease—a reprieve where I could catch my breath. But that’s not how life works. Grief was one summit. But beyond it, more mountains. And more still.

The truth is, life rarely unfolds in neat, manageable arcs. It’s a series of climbs, each teaching us something new about our strength and our limits. The sooner we embrace this—accepting that challenges don’t subtract from a good life but are part of living fully—the freer we become. Peace isn’t the absence of conflict. It’s the ability to navigate it with grace.

Choose the Right Climbing Partners

And while we can’t control the mountains ahead, we can choose who walks beside us. We can surround ourselves with those who cheer us on—who recognize our strength and encourage our resilience. These are the people who hand us water when we’re parched and point out the footholds when we can’t see them ourselves. They don’t diminish the climb but make the journey lighter with their presence.

On the other hand, some people place hurdles where none existed, making the ascent steeper, the air thinner. They sap our energy and cloud our vision. It’s okay—necessary, even—to leave them behind. We get to choose who shares our path. Choose the cheerleaders. Leave the toxic.

Lean Into the Journey, Not Just the Summit

We are never truly finished climbing. Each summit reveals a new horizon. But resilience doesn’t reside at the peak—it’s cultivated in the climb itself. When we learn to embrace the journey, we stop yearning for the end and start appreciating the rhythm of ascent. The view from the top is breathtaking, but the wisdom earned along the way is what transforms us.

So, as you stand at the base of your next mountain, ask yourself: Who’s standing beside me? But also take a moment for a safety check: Do I have the right equipment? Am I prepared for what’s ahead? And remember—beyond this peak, more mountains await. But now, you know what to do to ensure you’re equipped for the next climb—and that you can, indeed, make it.

I’m cheering for you from afar.

*Photo = me ascending Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, Utah. That climb, made with other incredible women who are lifelong friends now, demanded both courage and preparation—just as life does—reminding me that strength alone is never enough.