7 Life Lessons From The Malvern Hills

We had half term this week and we ventured down to Herefordshire to see my sisters. We miss the mountains and so decided to visit Malvern and walk in the hills there. There was some apprehension from one of my children, it's been a long time since we've gone on an uphill hike and his little legs weren't enjoying the reintroduction to it! 

But onward we went. Being in nature always provides ample lessons if we can pay enough attention to learn them. Better still, applying them is where the fruits from out labours can be felt. We discussed them on our route and the children always like to share their view and what it means to them. 

I was so excited to make a record of the lessons. You know when you wake up at 3am with an absolute brain wave and don't want to forget it. Well that's how I felt about these 7 lessons. Maybe they aren't ground breaking on their own but together- kapow! That's a lot of power!

So here they are;.

1. If You Want the Reward, You Have to Be Willing to Put in the Work

We'd just walking uphill for about 20-25 minutes and as we turned to stop for a break, looking through a clearing in the trees, we could see for miles and miles. It was breath takingly beautiful. I'd heard complaints of tired legs and sore toes, 'can we stop' s and 'how far' s?! But as they all stopped and looked and that view, the pain was gone. They just stood silently enjoying the fruits of their labour. It's was potent reminder that success in life often requires hard work and dedication. No matter what your goals are, if you want the reward, you have to be willing to put in the work to get there. This quite often translates to ' You have to be willing to have the lifestyle that it takes to get there.' That's a harder pill to swallow. 

2. It's Important to Look Back and See How Far You've Come

This worked really well! Every time we couldn't see the top or where the path turned next, we would look back and see how far we'd come. It felt really great and spurred us on! During your ascent, take a moment to look back at the path you've already traversed. Seeing the distance you've covered can be a powerful motivator. The same principle applies in life. Reflecting on your journey and acknowledging your progress can instill a sense of accomplishment and inspire you to keep pressing forward, no matter the challenges that lie ahead. I have so many clients who can not accept that so much of their successes are due to their own talent and hard graft. Look back at your progress and celebrate yourself! 

3. Be Willing to Find Your Own Route

So we could see the path down but we also knew there was probably a route that was steeper and more fun to scramble down. So my eldest son went down first as a look out and sure enough, we made our own fun way down from the top. It was exhilarating! Just as there is no one-size-fits-all route to the summit, life often requires us to find our own way. Whether it's pursuing a career, personal growth, or a specific goal, it takes dedication, courage, and curiosity to forge your unique path. The reward at the end is all the sweeter when you've carved out your own journey. We loved the route we took down and would have felt frustrated had we ignored the desire to find it. (Hello ignoring your sense of self!)

4. You Might Not See the End Goal Yet, But Keep Persevering

One foot in front of the other, one step at a time. When you look up and all you can see is more upward path, it can be a mojo killer. It can suck the energy right out of your drive. But when you reach that summit, holy hell that feels incredible. You get to stand at the top and bask not only in the beauty of what you're seeing but also in the knowledge that you got there because of your own perseverance. This teaches us that in life, the end goal may remain elusive at times, but perseverance is the key. Keep pushing forward, stay committed to your dreams and ambitions. The world needs you!

5. Discomfort and Pain Are Not Always Indicators to Stop

Oh I could write a book on this, maybe I will! Remember, there are 2 types of discomfort. One is a message that what ever you're doing is going against your sense of self, what you know and feel to be right and the other is a 'I'm expanding my comfort zone and this feels scary'.  Just because you feel the jitters, imposter syndrome or overthinking something it does not mean it isn't right for you. 

If an athlete gave up every time their body ached or was in pain, we would have athletes at all! Discomfort is a prerequisite for growth.

So, your mind might trick you into thinking you should stop, but the truth is that you are growing stronger with each step. Just as physical discomfort during a hike is a sign of progress, in life, challenges and discomfort are often indicators of personal growth. Embrace the discomfort, it's a great sign that you're pushing your limits and getting stronger.

6. This Too Shall Pass

Nothing is permanent and it will pass, even the exhilarating highs. You may feel tired, going around in circles and frustrated, I promise you it will pass. Hold on in knowing, which is more than hope. It's a solid and unwavering belief that everything is going to be ok.  This also reminded me about the importance of being present in the present. There is wonder when we are able to let go of the past, leave alone the future and really submerge ourselves in the now. What a gift. 

7. It's Better to Stop and Ask for Help Than Work Alone

I was carrying the back pack of drinks, snacks and as everyone grew hotter from walking, I ended up carrying their coats on a carabiner attached to my bag too. I stopped for a minute to readjust my load and could see the kids talking to a lady up ahead. Once I caught up with them, I could see that they had asked her for directions and she was instructing them on various paths we could take. Back on the walk, my son and I discussed that often it's better (not always easier) just to ask for help than struggle on alone.

So there they are. They will be discussion points for our Mornivations over the coming weeks. 

Take which ones resonated with you and start practising them. 

Much love