LESSONS FROM MOUNT FUJI

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest peak standing at roughly 12,365 feet (3,776 meters). Every year, approximately 400,000 ‘pilgrims’ climb through thinning air to catch the sunrise over the Pacific. In July and August roughly 3,000 people climb daily (many of them grandmothers and small children.)

Endless black volcanic rock pits Mount Fuji as one of the most monotonous mountains to climb. Hence this popular saying: “The Wiseman climbs Mount Fuji once, the fool climbs it twice.” In 2005, I climbed her twice.

Mount Fuji is Everyman’s Everest. She reminds us that life is not about being first, fastest or best. “Just do what you gotta do,” she says, “without comparing yourself to others”.

Life is not about being first. When you climb Mount Fuji you know that 100,000 grandmothers have been there before you. And that’s OK. Whatever your calling is, be sure to begin before the next 100,000 grandmothers beat you to it.

Life is not really about being the fastest, if it were everybody would be in a hurry to finish it. And most are not. In fact, many would prefer not to finish it at all.

Life is not as much about being the best as it is about being you. The universe created you to fill a void that no one else’s talents, gifts and experiences can fill.

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes and having to repeat yourself. The fool is not really the person who climbs Mt Fuji Twice. The fool is the person who chooses not to climb their Mount Fuji at all.

Figure out what you are meant to do in this life and start doing it. If you already know, then do more of it tomorrow than you did today, or do it better, or have more fun at it, or be more grateful that you can do it. If you do not know what it is, than continue to search and let you curiosity, your passion, your joy and your love help send you searching in the right direction.

Have a great week.