Life Is a Mountain to Be Enjoyed
contributor Rickey Johnson, jusmcc.net
There is a mountain we all climb, whether we know it or not. It rises slowly, then steeply, and eventually descends with grace. This mountain is called Life, and its terrain is as varied as the souls who walk it.
The Ascent: Ages 25 to 45
From the moment we step onto the mountain’s lower slopes, the climb begins. Between 25 and 45, the path is steep and demanding. We graduate from the schools of academia and naivety. We fall in love—with people, with purpose, with possibility. We taste heartbreak, job gains, job losses, and the bittersweet flavor of independence.
Every stumble teaches us something. Every summit we reach reveals another peak ahead. We build families, careers, and dreams. We learn to carry joy and pain in the same backpack. This is the season of becoming.
The Ridge of Reflection: Ages 45 to 50
As we approach 45, the climb slows. We pause to catch our breath and look back. The trail behind us is marked with triumphs and trials. We begin to understand the patterns in our journey—the lessons hidden in detours, the wisdom earned through weathering storms.
At 50, we reach the summit. The top of Life’s Mountain. Midlife. The view is breathtaking, but sobering. We realize that doubling this number is rare. The air is thinner here, and clarity sharper. We know now that the climb was never just about reaching the top—it was about becoming who we are.
The Descent Begins: Ages 50 to 60
From 50 onward, the descent begins—not in decline, but in direction. We move with momentum, applying the lessons of our ascent. We seek impact, legacy, and deeper meaning. We no longer climb to prove—we move to express.
This is the season of acceleration. We want to achieve more, not for applause, but for alignment. We become mentors, guides, and architects of wisdom.
The Season of Savoring: Ages 60 to 70
At 60, we realize the mountain behind us is longer than the trail ahead. We begin to savor. We treasure the moments—the good, the difficult, the ordinary. We’ve lost companions to illness, aging, and distance. Their absence deepens our appreciation.
We laugh more freely. We forgive more easily. We live more intentionally. The mountain teaches us that time is the most precious altitude.
The Gift of Life: Ages 70 to 80
Now we move slower, but more deliberately. Every step is a meditation. We give flowers to those we love—not at funerals, but while they can still smell them. We speak our truths, share our stories, and honor the journey.
We accept that the exit is near, not with fear, but with reverence. We’ve seen the mountain’s beauty. We’ve felt its storms. We’ve earned its peace.
The Valley of Legacy: Ages 90 to 100
At the base of the mountain, we sit in quiet gratitude. We no longer climb—we simply share. Our stories become lanterns for those still ascending. Our presence becomes a blessing.
We are no longer chasing time. We are embracing it. And in doing so, we complete the journey—not with regret, but with grace.
Life is a mountain to be enjoyed—not conquered. Its peaks and valleys are not obstacles, but invitations. To grow. To love. To reflect. To give. And ultimately, to leave behind a trail others can follow
