Just Put Your Backfoot Forward

When life becomes focused solely on goals, the destination overshadows the journey. This diminishes the joy of traveling, and upon reaching their destination, people often realize it wasn’t worth the sacrifices made. Does this mean we shouldn’t have any goals?

This notion is incorrect. For a traveler, the destination is merely an excuse to embark on the journey. What truly matters is being on the journey itself, regardless of whether the destination is reached. The mystery of life reveals that those who don’t prioritize the destination often explore more places than those who rush to reach a specific goal.

I remember during my Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC), we had to trek nearly 20 km daily with 20 kg backpacks on uneven paths. While psychological support was scarce, if you demonstrated courage, everyone would do their utmost to help you reach the Gorichan Glacier at 16,500 feet above sea level, which was our destination.

One day, while trekking up a steep slope with a 20 kg backpack, I was moving very slowly. This was because I was comparing myself to others who were walking with ease. My health wasn’t up to par, and I wasn’t fit for the trek, but my determination helped me endure. The instructor noticed my condition and approached me, saying, ‘Reaching the destination is easy; just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

After hearing his statement, I gained enough confidence to reach the destination and earn an ‘A’ certificate, which allowed me to advance to the next course. This happened three years ago, and I still remember his words. The instructor spoke casually, but his statement not only helped me reach the Gorichan Glacier but also allowed me to enjoy the journey. My goal shifted from reaching the glacier as quickly as possible to simply putting one foot in front of the other. This gave my body a rhythm, and I began to enjoy the beautiful scenery around me. The destination became just an excuse to walk more.

“A man who loves walking will walk further than the man who loves the destination.”

Society trains us all in the same way, making our lives goal-oriented and driving us to seek the purpose of life. We strive to give our lives meaning, but what if there is no grand purpose? Instead, we should focus on living life fully and enjoying every phase, as these moments will never come back.

Life has its own mysteries. Those who don’t ask for much often receive everything because they simply keep working. For them, the work itself becomes the reward, and eventually, money, fame, and other successes follow.

Many people believe they should follow their passion, but often, they don’t truly know what it is. They are merely trying to escape their current situation. Don’t be an escapist. Working for yourself requires extreme self-discipline and courage. It’s not easy to control yourself. Society is structured in such a way that we have the patience to work for someone else for 40 years, but not for ourselves.

The simple answer is that following the herd gives a sense of security, but in reality, it is a form of bondage. Life can’t be lived by insuring every aspect of it, as this makes life very boring. The person who starts loving the struggle has learned their purpose in life: to live it fully and to the best of their ability. If you want to start a new journey that is miles away, remember this: just keep putting one foot in front of the other.