PHOTOGRAPH BY NEGUS STUDIOS
/ˈmidl/
—noun
the point or position at an equal distance from the beginning and end of your journey.
Climbing mountains are never easy. Whether it be a metaphorical or literal climb, ascending a mountain requires focus and dedication. Yesterday my lady and I decided to climb/hike Mt. Beacon, in Beacon New York. That’s an hour and a half of nonstop ascent; which equates to 2.4 miles, or 1,561 vertical feet. The Terraine was littered with Loose rock, soiled foliage and slippery mud. For some this might have been a deal breaker, but not for us. I guess we’re something like thrill seekers, who on this particular day had a thirsting for adventure that needed to be quench.
5:29pm, And super amped. The beginning was fueled by motivation and determination. There was a certain je ne sais quoi in the air, an excitement to get to the top of the mount, not knowing what we would encounter along the way. We set out on this meandering trek full of vigor. Our child like enthusiasm caused any reservations that we might of had about the adventure to take a back seat. Higher and higher we climbed.
6:14pm, And trudging through the middle. As the elevation peaked it seemed as though my enthusiasm for this climb decreased, and the thought of turning back became a very real reality, for me at least. Though I never verbalized my now lack of enthusiasm for our adventure, I could feel it weighing heavy on me with every step I took. Could it be the 2.5 miles I ran earlier, or my stint in the gym bulking. I don’t know, but in my mind i’m screaming, are we there yet? While on the outside I’m speaking positivity and keeping a brave face for my lady to see.
6:25pm, I catch my second wind. Fueled by the sight of Casino’s Landing, we’re now more determined than ever, knowing the end is near. The sight of the old casino ruins gave us the much needed inspiration to finish the climb. The sight helped me to realize that we were closer than we thought and that accomplishing our goal was about to be our reality. This helped me to regain my focus and muster the will to continue.
6:46pm, We made it! What a great feeling indeed. The view of the Hudson Valley is gorgeous, but it paled in comparison, having seen this virtuous women, my lady radiate in this amazing sunlight. Yeah the sight of her made it all worth it.
Climbing Mt. Beacon for me was a spiritual experience. It helped me to realize my ability to persevere in spite of my strong desire to quit. It was a reminder of the importance of keeping like minded people around me, who help build my faith and secure my dream.
In the life of the creative/explorer you’re going to encounter many mountains, the beginning and end are the easy parts. However it’s the middle that causes many to stumble, turn back and others to become stagnant. The middle to me serves as a telltale plane, which gives us a glimpse into what’s at the core of our being. Don’t let your middle be the end of your quest, but instead remember the excitement of your beginning and what caused you to take this journey in the first place. Channel that enthusiasm, cling to it and allow it to pull you through.
THE LOOK: ZARA, CAVIAR EYEWEAR, STACY ADAMS