perspective

Imagine for a minute that you're holding a small rock right up to your eye.  What do you see?  Are you focused on the rock, or can you see the view behind it? You could be surrounded by the most beautiful landscape, but all you can see right now is that rock.

Now hold the rock at arms length.  It isn't so big anymore, in fact, it fits nicely in the palm of your hand.  You are much bigger than the rock.  From this vantage point you can see clearly how it fits into the surrounding scenery.

After facing the obstacle and seeing it for what it is in proportion to everything else it doesn't seem so obtrusive.   Placing it back on the ground with the other stones it merely becomes part of the path.  Part of where you've been.  Without it you wouldn't get where you're going, but certainly you don't need to pick it up and take it with you.  Soon it will be far below blended in with other obstacles overcome and it will be a sweet reminder of the climb.

{images from my hike yesterday at Brighton Ski Resort.}