Accepting the Peaks and Valleys

by Sheri Boone

There’s a really sweet little book by Dr. Seuss called, Oh, the Places You’ll Go. I came into contact with it over 20 years ago when my son was graduating from high school. A friend gave him the book; it was and still is a very popular gift for graduates. Years later, this book was used in my first coach training, illustrating the ups and downs of life – the peaks and valleys that we all go through on this journey.

Lately I’ve been reminded of the book and its message of how normal and natural it is to at one moment be on top of a mountain, on top of my game, with all the excitement and hope that peak provides, and then quite suddenly be in the valley of sadness, loneliness, or even despair, with all of the downward spiraling emotions that are present in that place.

At any given time, a lot of factors can be influencing whether or not we are at the peak or in the valley. And don’t we all prefer to be at the peak? I feel that for the most part, I live in the area of the peak. I’m quite happy and hold a positive outlook. But, once in a while, I find myself deep in the valley. What then? How can I navigate this place and find a path back up the mountain?

While I’ve found many interventions and modalities that greatly help me at these times, like rigorous exercise, lots of rest, and lots of personal connections, the one that is the most helpful is the awareness that I don’t need to fight it off, but rather that the more I can just accept this valley, knowing that “this too shall pass,” the more easily and quickly I will again be viewing life from the mountains’ peak.

This is my task today – to be in acceptance of where I am – and I’m going to choose to embrace it gently.

I invite you to ask yourself: “Where am I right now?” Can you accept whatever is going on, with trust and grace, continuing to know that you will find your way?

Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings. — attributed to Arthur Rubinstein

Whether you’re at a peak or in a valley, if you would like help navigating, please contact us for an exploratory consultation.

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