By Rusty Potter
There may not be mountain goats in Northeast Louisiana, but there should be some mountain goat thinking.
A mountain goat can go places that seem impossible. It can stand on narrow ledges, climb cliffs, and reach heights that other animals would never attempt. That mountain goat does not wait for the path to become easy. It simply learns how to keep its footing on difficult ground. A mountain goat will go places others can’t get the footing to go.
That is a lesson all of us can use.
Life is not always flat and smooth. Sometimes we find ourselves facing mountains of adversity. We encounter financial, health, family, and career mountains. There are days when the climb seems too steep, and the obstacles seem too great.
People who succeed are often not the strongest, smartest, or most talented. They are the ones who keep climbing.
A mountain goat teaches us that progress is made one step at a time. It does not focus on how far it has left to go. It focuses on finding a secure footing for the next step. It keeps putting in the work until it reaches heights that once seemed unreachable.
Many of the people we admire faced mountains in their lives. They encountered setbacks, disappointments, and failures. What separated them from others was their determination to keep moving forward. They refused to allow the mountain to define them.
If you are facing a mountain today, it may be a challenge at work. Maybe it is a personal struggle. Maybe it is a dream that seems out of reach. Don’t quit climbing. Don’t allow fear to stop you from reaching higher.
The mountain was not placed before you to defeat you. It was placed before you to develop you. Every challenge teaches a lesson. Every obstacle builds strength. Every step upward increases your confidence.
The next time life gets steep, think like that old mountain goat. Keep your balance. Keep your faith. Keep your focus. Most importantly, keep climbing.
The view from the top is always worth the effort.
