I should probably start off by saying thank you.

Thank you for showing me my strength, for having me test my own faith. Thank you for teaching me not to give up. I know my climb is far from over and I know there is still a ways to go until I am able to reach the top, but at least I have decided to keep going.

Yes I am tired, yes my body may be shaking, and yes there are times when I stop to think about how much more I can handle, before I decide to turn around and climb back down. However, I am still here and I am still standing. While I may not feel so strong, the view from behind me tells me otherwise.

As I continue my journey, and take each step towards the top, I learn a little bit more about myself.

I have learned that I am stronger than I may ever realize. There are days where I will feel weak. There are days when I want to give up and days when all I will want is to just curl up into a ball and forget everything. But I won’t. I won’t because there is still a mountain to climb, and I promised myself I would make it to the top.

To anyone who feels like they are not strong enough, you are wrong. You are still here, you are living, breathing proof that you are the strongest person you know. While the line of mountains may not be over, you have already climbed your fair share, and you have persisted.

You are strong.

I have learned that while I may be strong I am also capable and I am motivated. The climb is not over, and I am not going to give up. No matter what thoughts are crossing my mind or what struggles I am carrying along with me, I was destined to finish this climb. And I will finish this climb. I will continue to put my best work forward and prove to myself that I can do this.

This is something I have learned from just about any person I have ever interacted with. Everyday we carry around our struggles, the challenges we are facing and the lines we are being pushed towards, and yet everyday we just keep on going, beating against the current and driving ourselves to accomplish whatever goals we wish to achieve.

We can do anything we set our minds too, no matter how dark and bad it all seems. We will get through it each and every day, and we will wake up the next morning, and the sun will still rise.

You can do all things.

The most important thing I have learned as I stand on the side of this mountain, out of breathe, weak, and tired, is the reason that I will still continue to climb. I was placed on this mountain for a reason. It is no accident that my feet are standing here, and I am looking back at how far off the ground I have climbed, and turning to stare straight ahead at how much longer I have to go.

This mountain was mine to claim, and life had lead me to exactly where it needed me to be. The climb I am currently enduring has been intentionally placed on my path, and for that reason I will continue to climb. I am here to prove that I can climb this mountain as well as move it.

The advice I would like to offer you as I continue my battle is simple.

Do not give up on your climb.

I know you feel tired, and I know turning around and walking back down seems like the easiest of options, but I promise you the view when you reach the top will always be worth the climb. You will feel infinitely stronger, brighter, and hopeful. Life has lead you to exactly where you need to be, this is your mountain to conquer. Don’t stop now.

Remember no matter how you may feel, I believe in you.

And to the mountain I am currently climbing, I’ll talk to you again when I get to the top.