The Call of the Peaks: Hiking the Tatra Mountains
Executive Summary: Lessons from Tatra Mountain Hike
This piece is a memento to an extraordinarily wonderful event Bornali Das experienced while hiking in the Tatra mountains in the central European nation of Slovakia. It is a homage to one of the marvels of nature, a wonder of creation and a beauty that encompasses time. Beyond the obvious physical attributes of the hike, the author illustrates the symbolism of scaling the peak of the Tatra Mountains and draws some parallels to navigating the seemingly treacherous hike, that is life! Read this piece and draw your own lessons from hiking as you vicariously enjoy this mountain hike.
The Magnificent Tatra Mountains
I believe in many wonders of the Universe, and more in experiencing its magnificence as a way to fulfilling the quest of life. My encounter with the Tatra mountains, being phenomenal in every sense of the word, was nothing short of an embodiment of miracles. What is more, is the absolutely significant nature of the chance that came at the most opportune of moments for me. Due to the dreadful situation we have been forced to live in for the past two years, life had become nothing but a mundane existence. Everything seemed to have lost its essence and I felt as if my spirit itself had taken on a bleak turn. I, therefore, can’t emphasize enough why this trip was such an integral event for me.
I aim to avoid elaborating on all the hiking trips that happened during the excursion that took place last summer, because that’s a story for another day. Today, I will focus on one particular expedition, a trip that would remain close to my heart for the rest of my life.
Related Read: Tourism for Inclusive Growth
The Quest for the Tatra Mountain Summit
In all fairness, I proclaim that this specific mountain was not among the most magnificent, and I could endlessly glorify all the rest of the hikes leaving it out. The path itself was nothing to exalt about. The journey was long and arduous, the trails leading into forests, and hence no beatific scene to compensate for. Several hours in, with no sign of the peak, I was starting to feel exhausted.
I would look up and see a crest, that would appear to be the top of the mountain, only to arrive there and discover it not to be. It happened every single time that when I felt close to the destination, I turned out to be wrong. It led me to no end of frustration. I decided, therefore, to rather focus on the path.
The Quest for the Symbolic Summit
I have frequently wondered about what I most desire in my life, about my deepest aspirations, and my greatest passion. From the time I was introduced to the concept of having an ambition in life, I have worked to achieve every milestone I’d set for myself. And all the while believing I was moving towards my destination, only to arrive there to realize that it didn’t bring me the sense of achievement one would hope to attain when one finds their ultimate goal, or when one conquers the summit of their life.
Oftentimes, I find myself overwhelmed with the intricacies of life, completely disheartened, and without any hope. It is during those times when I question whether there’s any purpose to life, if there’s any higher meaning or fulfillment we’re destined for. I’m apologetic to admit that it happens to me more often than not.
The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.
Oprah Winfrey
Related Read: How to enjoy the journey of Failures, to be truly successful
Journey over Destination: Life through a New Lens
I arrived at the peak, not realizing that it was the end of my journey. The moment dawned on me, only as I turned and saw what lay in front of me. I dare say this moment was a defining juncture in my life. The view was simply spectacular and I was in awe. It was then that I experienced the greatest epiphany of my life.
Being at one with nature has given me a new objective in life, it has enabled me to see the world through a new ray of sunshine, and I’m more hopeful than ever.
I have no illusion left for I see my path clearly now. A sense of awareness is brimming within me which I was lacking earlier. Now I know not to deem the destination with such reverence, but to appreciate the journey, and to revel in it. I agonize myself no more about my end goal, for I believe I will know when I arrive there, and arrive I will. I ardently look forward to that moment in time and marvel at it.
Related Read: Find Your Wholeness
Gratitude for the lessons learned from hiking
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Vivienne and Lars. It is with my utmost sincerity when I say that I’m blessed to have you both in my life. Without you, this journey wouldn’t have been fruitful and I would not have learned these life lessons from this hike in the Tatra Mountains. I end this note with the hope that it was not our last trip.
It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
Edmund Hillary
About The Author
Bornali Das is a PhD student in Mathematics, from the University of Szeged, Hungary. She believes writing is a means of building bridges between souls, and this is what she attempts to do by sharing these pieces that are in some way related to her individuality.
More from Bornali Das:
- In the Glorification of Friendship Lost– is a piece about a friendship she experienced that left a lifelong impact on her soul, even though it existed for a very short time.
- A Witness to My Changing Self: Introspection Of The Journey of Life – a brief insight into how experiencing life through a spectrum of changes has led her to gaining wisdom.
- My Grandparents: In Loving Memory – a loving tribute in memory of her grandparents.
Hi there to all, I am eager of reading this web site’s
post to be updated. It consists of good stuff.
Really beautiful written. You should write more ❤️
Thank you very much for your kind words. I really appreciate it?)
An amazing piece of writing. It seemed like I was experiencing whatever I read.
Thank you for writing this!
I am reading this for like the 5th time and every time I read it, I find new substances in the writing. Kudos to you sister. Looking forward for more such pieces
I hope to not disappoint you then:D
Very inspiring! Looking forward to more from you Bornali 🙂
Thank you!
Wow you’ve had some life so success. Thank you so much for this incredible guide. This has given me so much inspiration.”Being at one…………………………… I’m more hopeful than ever.”❤️ I wish you much success. Looking forward for more articles from you.
Your comment is precious to me. Thank your very much for the sweet words:)
Life is theater, and theater is a world of development. It’s hard to describe how you feel when you’ve done a lot in your life. But pride in what you have achieved more makes yourself confident. It’s sad that some become arrogant forgetting that they also started from the bottom… The author smoothly and competently describes his inner feelings, linking his achievements with the experience obtained in the past. I love when a person gives an example from nature and not from an imaginary world. The idea should be clear to everyone, not just the author himself. In this regard, the author has surpassed even experienced writers. Who cover their mediocrity with typical phrases. “This is how I see the world.” The author of the article is clever, I wish you more success and new heights.
Thank you Miko, your words are deeply regarded. Most of all, thank you for the way you reflect on my writing. It means a lot to me:)
This article has a lot of wisdom that is very applicable in life. The journey of life is often saddled with unforeseen challenges and one must always look forward to the future with hope and perseverance until we achieve our ultimate objective. Unfortunately, at the end of each success lies another challenge hence the need to always celebrate our successes. Great article.
A great article with lots of useful information
It was quite an enthralling read. You have a way with words, I must say. Looking forward to reading more of your pieces.
Bahut accha likha hai Shon, message bhi kafi khubsoorat hai. Really inspiring.
Safar khoobsoorat hai manzil se bhi..
Once you reach that spectacular destination, you eventually realise that path was even better than the destination because it certainly taught you lots of things about yourself.
So yes,
“Path is even more beautiful than the destination”
A wonderful writing loved it hoping for more