Africa

Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa standing at a wapping 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). One may assume that it is difficult to climb, and they would be correct. Although there were moments when I did not think my feet would keep going, they held me up. They allowed me to challenge myself mentally, emotionally, and physically. The beautiful experience of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro has left a lasting effect on who I am and my perspective on life. There are three main lessons that I learned from this formidable memory. Experience rather than expect! The first lesson I grasped is to experience rather than expect. In today’s society, fear often overcomes one’s decision to do something new. When you are introduced to a place, experience, or discovering yourself, it is scary and expectations arise. Self-doubt creeps in, and rather than jumping into the unknown, many hide in their safe, recognizable shells. Thus, this lesson is essential. Rather than assuming you know the result, the only way you know the outcome is by actually having the experience. Five different people may hike Mount Kilimanjaro and their individual journeys will vary vastly from everyone else’s. For me, I was expecting terrible altitude sickness and foot pain. Although I did encounter a little of both, they did not hold me back from challenging my body and experiencing the mountain. Instead of relying on what people tell you or internal conflict, it is best to jump in and experience it. Don’t let your expectations control your actions. Life is about the journey, not the destination! The second lesson I learned is that life is about the journey, not the destination. I have always believed in this saying (I even have it inscribed in a ring). There comes a significant expectation when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, it is to make it to the summit. It is a lot of pressure on yourself to achieve that goal. Many people want to tell the story that they were challenged but came out on top. I struggled with altitude sickness, but my body allowed me to continue the hike. The truth is, the overall success rate in summiting Mount Kilimanjaro is between 70-80%. That means that, for various reasons, 20-30% of people that attempt the climb do not make it to the top. Despite this, it does not devalue their experience. They still were able to hike Mount Kilimanjaro and see what that beautiful mountain has to offer. I made it to the top, but then felt a bit deflated when there was no view due to a snowstorm. It was then that I realized that the goal did not matter, I achieved all I could from the journey the mountain took me on. A lesson in life is that it is not about the destination, it is not about where you end up, the main idea is how you got there and your personal journey. A positive mindset leads to a positive outcome! The third lesson I obtained is that a positive mindset leads to a positive outcome. This can be applied to anything in life. The more I complained of pain and exhaustion as my feet moved one foot in front of the other, the less I enjoyed what I was doing. I was in Tanzania. I was in a beautiful place full of new perspectives, landscapes, and terrain. With a better mindset, the results were fewer altitude sickness symptoms, more enjoyment of my experience, more appreciation toward my body’s abilities, and an overall happier point of view and mood. I struggled during this hike, especially summit night, but it has taught me how vital mindset is, on and off the mountain. Kilimanjaro Challenge You do not have to hike Mount Kilimanjaro to learn these lessons, anyone can obtain these ideas by challenging themselves on an adventure. For now, I challenge you to go on a trip and think about these ideas. See if these beliefs and lessons help you appreciate every moment you experience.  Not all those who wander are lost. -TTT Are you curious about Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro? Watch my experience now!