Eagle Peak
Behind the city of Colorado Springs, at the back of the
U.S. Air Force Academy stands a mountain called Eagle Peak
which is popular among local hikers, and Scouts in particular.
From it's summit you can peer into the depths of the Rocky
Mountains on one side or overlook the vast expanse of the
Great Plains on the other. Each summer the trail leading to
the peak is trod by those who've walked it's track before as
well as those who make of it a new experience.
The inexperienced hiker is generally always told, if he
cares to ask, that the hike will take all day to go up and
back. He is told to start early and to set a strong, steady
pace for the journey will be difficult and rigorous.
The inexperienced hiker who follows this advice and plans
accordingly can be easily disappointed and even become
angry or confused upon reaching the beginning of the trail,
because he can see with his own eyes from the parking lot
that the hike to the summit and back would take far less
than half a day with little difficulty at even the most
leisurely pace.
And so he changes his plans. He meanders up the trail
wandering frequently from the path, taking numerous
side-trips and detours. He stops to play and to snack on
some of the supplies he had brought since he obviously
won't need so much for such a short trip. He goes well
out of his way to avoid some of the more difficult parts
of the trail. This he does until about half way through
the day when he finally climbs to the summit only to
discover that it was his eyes which had deceived him and
not the words of those who had gone before. For he now
stands on a false summit which had blocked his view of
the higher summit far above.
Realizing his lack of foresight, this hiker now quickly
reevaluates his time and decides that if he pushes himself
hard enough he can still make it to the summit and back
before it gets too dark. And so he sets off at a frantic
pace; stumbling, crashing through the brush, receiving
bruises, scrapes and scratches as the sun moves steadily
toward the horizon.
Until at last he reaches his mark and looks up at still
another summit. You see, Eagle Peak has two false summits,
both of which must be travelled over before reaching the
real goal. Our inexperienced hiker now sadly begins his
trek back down the mountain knowing he fell short of the
goal he had sought after. He will try again another day,
for there are many beautiful days in Colorado Springs.
Wiser for his experience, he will doubtless reach his
goal on the next occasion.
In our journey through life, however, we are not so
fortunate. There are many false summits and if you
strive toward only those goals which you can see, you
will fall far short of the genuine goal.
[ by: RD Clyde -- from 'Aiken Drum' (Aiken@AikensLaughs.com) ]
Inspirational Stories
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