Life Can Sometimes Feel Like an Up Hill Battle

Life sure can feel at times like an up hill battle.

This morning in a cloud of our own breath, Clover my canine companion and I set out to be the first people to crush the morning frost kissed grass under our feet. To be in the vineyard before the sun breached the blue chilled hills.

At first we took the path we normally would, flat and steady, our path matched our pace. High above we could hear a busy woodpecker pecking away at a hollow tree and it’s rhythmic pattern resonated across the rows. It seemed to pour down the hillside at us as if calling us higher.

We turned our direction up the rows, fighting our way up the steep sides. Several times Clover turned as if to ask me was I really sure this was the way? Were we really going to forge a new path, a more direct and perhaps more difficult one? With a smile I hurried him along telling him to step gingerly so as to not loose footing on the steep and loose soil below our feet.

Twice we were forced to turn back because the way was not clear for us. Clover would whimper at each course change and again I would have to encourage him to push himself forward..always forward. We had a goal to reach.

Then before we realized it, just above us we found a maintained path. With a struggle we pulled ourselves up and over the gravel edge to once again stand erect on sure footing. Together we danced in circles, me clapping and he wagging not caring if anyone might see. This bitter morning we set ourselves a goal and could not be deterred from succeeding.

I hope you set a goal today and remember to celebrate the success no matter how small.