Albert Camus once said, ” The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart.” ” One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” He was referring to the Greek myth where Sisyphus was condemned by the gods to roll a rock to the top of a mountain for eternity only to see it roll back down again. The only way Sisyphus was able to overcome the sentence was to take a new perspective and relish the process of rolling the rock up the mountain. Who cared what happened after that? The process made him happy because it was simple, and he was able to find joy in doing it. Over and over again.

We have all heard stories of people like the ones who climb 6-8000 meter peaks in the Himalaya only to be turned back by sickness, weather, or other struggles which prevent them from summitting. When you hear their stories, the more philosophical ones talk about the journey being the most important thing rather than the focus of the summit. They take some pleasure in the process of climbing and how that process or journey fills their souls. A great perspective on something that could be seen as a disappointment.

I have been thinking a lot about process as I have been getting older. I used to focus on goals, times, wins, losses, in my years as a weekend warrior. Running and cycling races filled my attention and my perceived value at the time was how well I did or how poorly I did and what it would look like. Skiing was the same way. My self- value sometimes was seen in how well I skied and if I was able to compete in a way with other skiers. I wanted to be one of the best locally. The funny thing about cycling, skiing, or running, is that there is always someone out there who will make you humble. As soon as you think you are there, someone comes along and shows you the next level. Big difference in being a big fish in a small pond rather than the opposite. I have been handed my share of humble pie many times in my quest to achieve.

But lately, I have been more focused on the process and the joy that ski turns, or miles on the mountain bike bring me. I don’t have to be competitive anymore because those days are long gone. My goals now are to stay healthy, so that I can keep doing the things I always liked to do. I am not the skier that I was when I was 30. But I still try to ski the good stuff albeit more methodically. I have already realized that I can’t ride as well as I did back then, but my focus lately is the process or the struggle. Some days are harder than others with daily push -ups, and stretches and solo rides, or rides with my friends. As they say, some days you are the windshield, some days you are the bug.

I want to enjoy my surroundings. I notice more things from the chairlift when I am skiing. I look more at the mountains. I notice the wildflowers on the trails that I ride and the changes of the seasons that paint different pictures as the seasons move on. The focus has to be on the process, and struggles that can be overcome with perseverance, and the appreciation for the journey. It is not getting to the finish as quickly as I can anymore. It is enjoying the way there. If I have to struggle some days, it definitely fills my heart. Strange to say that but when you appreciate the process instead of always the end goal, you can feel that way. Maybe old Camus was right?

And finally, life deals you some tough things sometimes. Like Sisyphus. Times when you feel you are at a dead end, or life perhaps has not been fair. Perspective is what counts. We need to rely on faith to get us through the tougher times, and the realization that the end game is in reach if we believe. So maybe grasp the struggles and see if you can get through them and enjoy the process. It will make you stronger. Thanks for reading.

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33