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7/28/2025

The Mountain Metaphor

Picture this, [FORMATTED_FIRST_NAME GOES HERE]. You’re standing on top of a mountain. Maybe you were camping or just went for a hike. And your car is parked down the west side of the treacherous incline.

You take in the beaty of your surroundings. The peace of birds chirping and squirrels trotting around you, you notice the sun start to set.

That’s ok. I’ll build a fire.

You’re not ready to leave. So even though the main source of light has set, you create your own and enjoy the cooler weather.

The fire burns to coals & ashes and the light slowly fades, as does the heat.

But you came prepared.

You grab your backpack, unzipping it to reveal the lantern you had stashed away.

The lantern, possessing fresh batteries, shines immediately.

10 feet of light now beam around you in all directions. 360 degrees.

Yet, you’re missing something.

Shit.

Which direction did you come from?

You wander around your campsite, seeing a handful a trails you could take.

But they all looks the same.

You’re nervous to go down the wrong path for fear of declining on the wrong side of the mountain only to retrace your steps.

Yes, you have light. You can see.

But the choices of which direction to go are endless. You can’t see your desired destination so you struggle to determine which direction is correct.

The Spotlight

(not the movie)

Now, imagine this.

Let’s say that instead of packing a lantern, you packed a spotlight.

This spotlight has a laser beam-like focus.

You fire it up.

The bright light beams in a straight line directly in front of you.

You can’t see side to side, but straight ahead? Seems like miles ahead.

You still don’t know which direction to go. But you climb to the peak and scan around.

Is my car down there? Nope. Don’t see it. Ok next.

You spin as you slowly scan the base of the mountain.

Boom. There it is.

You see your car lights glisten in the beam of light. That must be the west side.

You have just provided yourself direction.

You still don’t know exactly how you’ll get there. But with direction, you have a better idea of which trail to take and start your descent.

At times, you wander off the trail. Unsure. So you whip out the spotlight again, find your car, adjust, and keep going.

Even though it’s not a straight line and sometimes you went a little too far south, you inch your way back to your car.

You release a sigh of relief as you approach your car.

Ahhhh. Made it.

The Big Breakthrough

For me, this was the sensation I felt when I discovered journaling.

I felt direction amidst the unknown.

I had times when I questioned what I was doing and if I was ever making progress. Confused and uncertain.

Then I would reflect on my writings and confirm my destination.

I knew where I was headed, but not exactly how to get there.

But I knew that if I took it one step at a time towards this destination that I would figure it out along the way, ultimately reaching it.

For the longest time I saw journaling as an drag… until I tried it. Then it became my most valuable tool for clarity and direction.

And it might provide that for you too.

Or maybe it won’t. I’m not hear to preach that journaling is the answer for everyone. But it MIGHT be the answer for you.

And for such a small investment, it’s worth a shot.

Until Next Time,

Dallen “journaling isn’t a drag Reber

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