Next week I am leaving for Tanzania. I will be gone for more than 2 weeks and a portion of the journey is to climb mount Kilimanjaro; the highest point on the continent of Africa. The journey actually began five years earlier when I was traveling through northern India with some colleagues from Compassion. As we stood in Darjeeling, India looking over the border into Nepal at Mt. Everest at sunrise, we began to dream of challenges in the future which could have impact on the world in which we live. Born out of this early time of discussion and dreaming was eventually “Blood, Sweat and Compassion” (http://www.bloodsweatandcompassion.org)
As I prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime trek, I am thinking about the journey of life and our preparations as we approach new transitions that we have never experienced. Here are a few things I have had in mind as I prepare:
1. Make the right preparations
I have spent several weeks (months actually) getting my gear together, training, thinking and dreaming about this event. What I realize as I prepare for Kilimanjaro is that I actually really enjoy the anticipation that comes from getting ready to go. The best definition I have ever heard of for HOPE is “Happy anticipation”. Funny how energizing this anticipation can be for a trek you have been looking forward to and dreaming about for years yet how stressful most of the rest of my “future looking” can be when I stress about all of the things that are outside of my control. If I could just change my perception about the future from “this is going to be hard” or “this is not going to go very well” to “what a grand adventure this will be” or “think of how I will be different after this portion of my life journey” my life would be more about happy anticipation than dread.
2. Look to those who have been where you are going
As we started pulling together our gear and getting mentally prepared, we have no idea of what to expect on a mountain trek in Africa. Granted, I have done a lot of hiking in California and quite a bit of back packing in Colorado, but THIS WAS AFRICA! Who knew what we should expect? So, we logged on to Amazon and ordered a trekking guide for Kilimanjaro. To get the insights from someone with first hand experience of where we are going will be invaluable. We prep and pack differently based on the advice of someone who has been where we are going.
3. Expect the unexpected
No matter what you read, or how well prepared you think you are…this will not go as you expect. You have to remember that. And, whether it is the people you meet, or the weather you encounter or the fact that you eat something that does not agree with you. Your experience will be unique to everyone else’s…even those on the same journey as you. In fact, your experience will be as unique as you are. Expect the unexpected, and approach it with wonder and excitement. One of the greatest blessings in life is exploration. If everything was foreknown and every outcome was foretold there would be no mystery and no discovery.
Going Further:
(click image to look up)
Tags: change, Emotional, journey, Mental, preparation, transitions
Design by CoPilot Creative