New Year. New Challenges. New Goals.

I always hear Zig Ziglar in my head when I think of goals: “You gotta have a goal.” Goals give us direction. Goals give us something to strive for. Goals motivate us. Reaching a goal is great, but working towards the goal is even better.

Several years ago, my friend Roz gave me a framed print which is probably one of my favorite prints I’ve ever had. It is a drawing by Sybil Shane, an artist who explores the extraordinary found within the ordinary. The title is “Toward the Mountain Top Inch by Inch.” I keep it in a visible spot where I can look at it everyday. And I’m reminded that things worth achieving take time and patience.

I thought of another friend today as I looked at the print. My friend Lori is in Africa right now climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Literally, she is going “Toward the Mountain Top Inch by Inch.” One of the people in her group is sending updates to her mom (Didi) via satellite phone which she, in turn, is sending to some of Lori’s “people.”

Today’s message says:

“Good morning. I heard from Meredith about 5:30am central time. They transported the group to their base camp. Meredith was impressed with the tents, they have wooden floors!!! I’m not sure if the floors go with them up the mountain. They were getting ready to go for a two hour hike to warm up and stretch out the legs. Meredith said they were being spoiled. They deserve it. Today, they even get to take showers. Apparently there are two groups of 12 going and 45 porters. I believe they are in good hands. According to Meredith, you can see Mt. Kilimanjaro off in the distance, far away in the clouds. It sounds pretty awesome.”

I’ll post Didi’s updates on Lori and her group as I get them…as they go “Toward the Mountain Top Inch by Inch.”