Scaling the Walls of Our Dreams

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“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” – David Viscott

This is a repost of something I published on 5/11/2022. Heads up – you may have already read this.

I was talking with some friends the other day about the movie Free Solo. One of my friends breezily remarked that Alex Honnold was crazy for climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a nearly 3,000 foot ascent without ropes, anchors or any other protective gear. Before I watched the movie, I would have agreed. After all, the first time I climbed a rock face, I was only three feet off the ground when my leg start shaking, a condition so common it has a name – sewing machine leg.

But when you watch the movie, you see how impeccably he prepared for the challenge. Alex climbed each section over and over again with protective gear, until every move was automatic and if not easy, than at least anticipated.

For me the crux moment is when the film crew assembles to film his free solo attempt and he starts but then calls it off because he knows it’s not the right day. In that willingness under the pressure of expectation and respect for everyone else’s time and with the knowledge that they won’t be able to try again until the next year, he shows how incredibly brave he is.

For me this isn’t a movie about a climber ascending a famous wall at Yosemite. It’s an allegory for all of us about the call to recognize and commit to our gifts. It is about accepting our paths, the unique reason we are all on the planet, and then walking that path.

It contains both the vision piece – and execution piece, the incredibly hard work that we have to do to hone our gift once we accept it. It shows that purpose and practice go hand in hand.

And it speaks to how vital it is to listen to the quiet Divine voice within us. So that if the day, the conditions or the circumstances aren’t right, we are willing to honor the voice within that says “Don’t do it” no matter how silly it could make us look. We can listen, withdraw and wait for the right day.

When my daughter was 2-years-old and we were watching The Sound of Music, she asked why the characters at the convent were wearing habits and wimples. When I told her they were nuns, she repeated back to me, “They are nuts?”

Yes, sometimes when we follow our calling, we might seem like we are nuts. It is hard to get quiet enough to listen to the small voice within. Even harder to put our gifts on display for the world to see and put in enough practice to bring them to bear in an audacious way.

But when we do scale that wall of gifts and dreams, when we stand on top and celebrate that unity of purpose, preparation and performance, we set the world on fire. As Howard Thurman said so well, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people that come alive.”

I’ve posted a related piece The Archetypes of Story on the Wise & Shine blog. If you have time, hop over there to check it out.

(featured photo from Pexels)

46 thoughts on “Scaling the Walls of Our Dreams”

  1. Pingback: The Archetypes of Story - Wise & Shine

  2. My biggest mountain was writing my first book.

    My mother had scoffed at me and ridiculed the notion that I wanted to create books when I was older, so the seeds of doubt were planted deeply. If my mother, who was supposed to know me best, said it was too lofty of a goal and wanted to put it down said I couldn’t do it, then could I really dream of it?

    When the publisher of my illustrated children’s book suggested I write down my philosophical thoughts and put them in a book, I was gobsmacked. Here was a publisher, my publisher, telling me to write down my thoughts. Even with his “permission” and belief in me, I still only had the courage to start very small, for I had no idea how to climb that mountain, nor did I know if I had the skills to summit it.

    I worked slowly, carefully and methodically, and bit by bit it began to appear, and then I could transform random thoughts into a cohesive whole.

    I learned that baby steps are so crucial when tackling a big goal. Break down those too big ans seemingly unmanageable steps into smaller, doable steps, then step out in faith and do them!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. What a great testament of how to get up the mountain you’ve provided, Tamara! Baby steps – yes. Just keep going one step at a time. Love your story and your incredible willingness to share. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I think it is important to share, so those who are looking at their own mountain will see that they might actually be able to do it, instead of feeling overwhelmed and giving up.

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  3. On one side I find this both aspirational and inspirational, Wynne. On the other it requires a belief in the divine many either lack or have chosen, the presence of a calling, and Thurman’s direction not to ask what the world needs.

    Your faith and goodness are touching, Wynne. But, as I hope you see, I am left conflicted. In any case, thanks for your thoughtful and provocative essay.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, I totally understand what you mean, Dr. Stein. Yes, we need to care about the world and what it needs. The way I interpret this is not to study a subject simply because you’ve been told to or that’s where people say the easy jobs or money is but to reach inside and understand where our own interests and passions lay. But not without concern for the world and our participation in it.

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  4. I love this in the Thurman quote: …”Ask what makes you come alive and go do it.” Gosh, yes. Rallying all the courage and confidence we can muster. 💕

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  6. If changing your mind about an activity that could potentially cause you to die is considered bravery, then I’m one of the bravest guys around. You’ll never catch me scaling a rock wall, with OR without protective gear!

    See how brave I am??

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  7. Much like Mark, I will be glad to put any gift I may have out there for others if it makes an impact…however my gifts will always remain much closer to the ground. That is guaranteed 😉

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  8. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people that come alive.”

    I’ve often wondered Wynne, discarding the physical and often mental ‘ravages’ of aging, why children are so uninhibitedly alive, enjoying life to the fullest moreso than many inhibited, responsible adults.

    I just shared one of my favorite quotes with another blogger enjoying life in our ‘advanced state of maturity’ that may be the Holy Grail of alleviating the ‘ravages’ adulthood . . .

    “Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional.” . . . guilty as so often charged, and relishing every moment 😊

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  9. Listening to an inner voice and following your voice takes great courage. There are or is some evil out there. If you can tell those smaller and weaker, younger, your children, your students to sometimes listen to the voice and trust that you are in the right this is the best gift to give them. As the world is ready to tell them, ‘listen to one voice.” Be unique, follow no one and sometimes question why someone chooses things. Don’t care so much what others think.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Such a great question, Elizabeth. What would have happened indeed? I think it’s a great thing when we know the difference between just being nervous and not being ready. But wow, it’s a hard thing to discern, isn’t it?

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  12. I know I often say I don’t have words for how much I love this or that of your posts, but this one is absolutely atop that … scale! 😉 Right to my soul, all of this; I literally gasped, too, at the bravery captured in this sentence: “For me the crux moment is when the film crew assembles to film his free solo attempt and he starts but then calls it off because he knows it’s not the right day.” Fantastic!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. “Atop that…scale!” What a good one, Deborah!! I love that bravery too – it gets me every time. Can you imagine the deep knowing he had to have? Thanks for your wonderful and supportive comments!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. I love reading and rereading your posts that draw life parallels with climbing. It really isn’t about the climbing but about life itself and all its ups and downs and the skill and dedication required to keep showing up and the rewards we get when we reach the top and set the world on fire.

    I also agree that it’s important to listen to our body and our gut when things don’t feel right and to step back and reset and recalibrate. It’s a good life lesson for us and for us to role model for our kids.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree, Ab – it’s such a fun and good metaphors! You are so right about modeling it for our kids. Learning it ourselves is hard – what if we could help them just know they can do it too? Great comment!

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  14. I think Howard Thurman is on to something with this lovely quote – “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people that come alive.”

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  15. I remember that movie, I was on pins and needles. I felt as if Ales was driven to climb from early on, even after many hardships, he could not ignore how the mountain called him, but he did take precautions and care. I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to have that kind of certainty about the life you were meant to pursue. I’ve dipped my toes in many places but usually not with the certainty of Alex Honnold! Great post Wynne. Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love how you put it about dipping our toes in many places. I think having the certainty of Alex Honnold is a pretty rare thing – and maybe that’s a good thing? We can sample a breadth of things more easily maybe? Sending hugs to you!

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    1. I love that you loved it to. Yes, what a movie! Do you follow Jimmy Chin (the filmmaker) on Instagram. Wow – he’s got some really cool stuff. Happy Friday, Todd!!

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  17. If only we’d all take more time to listen to that still, small voice. What courage he showed to listen and obey, regardless of those around him. Others may think we are nuts (love the kid-ism!) but we have to follow where we are led 💞💞💞

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    1. What a beautiful comment, Dawn. Yes, we have to follow where we are led. One on hand it seems so hard but on the other hand, it’s amazing how clear that path can be. Right?

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