Every Moment is a Wow Moment

An old man begins a long and steady climb up to the top of a mountain. The path is rough, as not many take the route he has chosen. It is muddy and, in places, slippery underfoot. With many jagged rocks and thorny bushes, he must negotiate along the way. It is raining heavily, and the clouds have descended all around him, making his journey seem even tougher. His thinking is fast and one of constant complaining, causing him much suffering as he goes. As he slowly climbs, he mutters under his breath with every step. His words are harsh and cruel to himself, but he continues onwards. The rain doesn't let up, and the clouds seem even thicker as he keeps to the chosen path. On more than one occasion, his mind tells him to give up. On more than one occasion, he feels it is hopeless and believes that the journey isn't worth it. But he pushes on despite his constant complaining. As he progresses, his thoughts begin to slow, and his harsh words to himself lessen. He begins to see the clouds all around him part ever so slightly. The rain is easing. Finally, he pushes through the clouds and is greeted with a glorious blue sky, and the sun shines its beautiful warming rays upon him. A smile graces his face, and his thinking mind has stopped. He can see the peak in the distance and the clouds far below. His mind is still and as clear as the blue sky around him. He is filled with joy and peace, and it's just a few more steps to the top, just a few more steps to go. As humans, it is the thoughts we have that play havoc in our lives. They can cause us stress and anxieties of pure suffering. To see these thoughts and our inner dialogue as no more than passing clouds in a weather system of our own making can help us let go and stop attaching importance to them.