We see a lot of different people walk through the doors of our shop. Some are training for an upcoming race they just signed up for, eyes fixed on a new personal best. Others are just looking for a bit of physical relief, battling the stubborn aftereffects of a knee replacement or the sharp, daily frustration of plantar fasciitis.
On the surface, a runner and someone recovering from major joint surgery don’t seem to have much in common. But they do.
They are both climbing a mountain. They are both practicing perseverance.
The Everyday Climb
Merriam-Webster defines perseverance as the “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”
Lately, that definition has felt incredibly personal. For the past few weeks, I’ve been dealing with a pesky, stubborn bout of tendonitis in my knee. Paired with the usual, unpredictable tribulations that life likes to throw our way, some days simply staying on my feet has felt like an uphill battle.
I was thinking about this during Mass recently, which happened to fall on the feast of St. Boniface. He was a historical figure known for his relentless determination in the face of overwhelming challenges. Sitting there, nursing my aching knee, the timing felt poignant.
It reminded me that the mountains we climb aren’t always made of rock and dirt. Sometimes, they are made of inflammation, physical limitations, grief, or stress.
A Crossroads of Resilience
When you are dealing with chronic pain or a long recovery, the mountain ahead looks incredibly steep. It takes a massive amount of mental and physical grit to keep searching for solutions, to keep doing the exercises, and to keep showing up.
Whether you are pushing your body to run or just trying to walk down the block without pain, you are fueled by the exact same human spirit. You are refusing to let the obstacle in front of you have the final say.
Always Forward
When the incline gets steep and the summit feels entirely out of reach, it is easy to want to stop and slide backward. In those moments, I lean on a beautiful piece of wisdom from my father-in-law, who is currently fighting his own massive mountain in his battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
He always tells me: “Lean forward, always forward!”
It is a simple phrase, but it carries immense weight. When you are climbing an actual mountain, leaning forward shifts your center of gravity, keeping you balanced and moving upward. In life, leaning forward means choosing hope over despair, and momentum over stagnation.
To everyone walking through our doors this week—whether you are training, healing, or just trying to make it through a tough season—keep climbing. Lean into the slope.
Lean forward, always forward. We are in this climb together.
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