Comfortable is boring.
At 3:30 AM this morning, the only place I could have been comfortable was back in my bed. Instead I was awake, eating, stretching, and preparing for a day of hiking Colorado’s famous 14,110 ft Pikes Peak. Groggy eye, my hiking partner and I met shortly after 4 AM for the short ride to the trail head. By 4:30 AM, we found ourselves standing in a parking lot of nearly 100 people, ready to embark on their journey up the mountain. Shocked with the crowd size and a bit irritated by the early morning noise, we hurried off to the beginning of the Barr Trail.
It only took about 15 minutes for us to find the quiet peace of the rocky mountain trail that we’d call home for the next hours. Making our way to the tree line at 12,000 feet was fantastic- the moderate pace, great conversation, and the anticipation of what the high mountain would bring. Shortly after reaching tree line, things changed; slow pace, almost no conversation, and the realization of what the high mountain really was – a steep and exposed raw piece of boulder filled rock.
We’d agreed that anything beyond this point was “all or nothing”. If one person decided to turn back, neither of us would we’d both not reach the summit that day. In short, it was time to work together- Not physically but mentally. We’d follow in each other’s footsteps and keep the mood positive. A few times I’m sure our words to each other likely wouldn’t have sounded so positive but we knew that a small “kick in the butt” at times was needed to keep things going. It’s odd how encouragement can come in different forms. If one’s goals are the conversations don’t necessarily need to be “nice”. They need to be honest, authentic, fact based, and laser focused on that common goal.
The next few hours were laborious but and the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. As we reached the summit, we gave each other a quick hug, posed for a summit selfie, then sat on the summit post taking in the Colorado high plains. Both agreeing that the day was incredibly rewarding and we were grateful to have accomplished it together.
As uncomfortable and tired as I was, I was happy. As I reflect on that day, I think I’m often most happy when uncomfortable. However, I’m not so happy sitting around in a comfortable environment waiting to be happy. I’ve said it here before, just as our company’s President says all the time, “Get out of your comfort zone. Nothing ever grows there.”
Live outside. No box required.
