Growing Up

I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink into a grain of sand.

Og Mandino
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Hello Ken
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What style of a mountain are you? Or are you just a grain of sand like millions of others on the remote and secluded beaches of the world? I fear I'm becoming that grain myself One unfortunate but undeniable truth which perforates a hole in a person's sense of themselves is that if you think you are a humble grain of sand other people will treat you that way, crushing you under foot as they move along their pretended mountain trails.

I personally feel that I'm becoming more like a grain of sand everyday. I've lost some friends and readers. I owe so much money I can't afford health insurance so I live with my infirmaries. I live in a place where there is nothing for my talents and abilities except at the keyboard. I seem to have some readers at various places around the world: the US, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Asia.. But I don't know who they are. I sure would like to hear from some of them. Thee may be mountains out there I don't know about.

Well I'm not a grain of sand yet, in spite of the grinding down I've been subjected to in my life. The right and possibility to grow back into the mountain direction is the best cure for sand mentality. So how does one achieve mountainhood? I think there are at least two seemingly opposing geological techniques. One is to persist in doing the best one can do, never giving up. And the other is not repeating oneself, doing the same thing over again, no matter how good it is. Appetizing inspirations generally go stale after a while if they aren't subjected to constant renewal. Persistence and innovation. Those are the two horses hooked up to the wagon.

After one gets those two beasts of burden going in harmony, then it's time to decide on where you're going. Mark down mountain on your map of buried treasure and then draw lines to it labeled "talent," "imagination," "passion,' and one of the most important lines called "today."

Now why do I want to be a mountain? Because a mountain is a mighty and inspiring thing. It's slopes, meadows and streams provide sustenance, some people will always want to climb to your summit to learn what you know and a mountain also provides shade to the grains of sand below.

I am not a grain of sand, I'm not just another pebble on the beach, I'm not a stone wall, a pile of rocks or even a boulder. I'm hitched up, with map in hand and on my way at growing into a mountain. Join me?

Dana Bate - The Vagabond
Never Give Up
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