When we’re born, we’re given a bucket and sent up a mountain. While we’re climbing this mountain we meet people along the way who upon meeting us, pick up a handful of dirt from the ground and put it into our bucket. As they release the dirt from their hand they teach us something. The lessons at the base of the mountain are the basics we learn growing up. “Two plus two equals four,” one will say as they empty their fist. “Treat others as you would want others to treat you,” says another.
And as you climb this mountain and you get older, and you grow, the lessons become more complicated. “Life isn’t fair.” “People only say ‘life isn’t fair’ when they require your life to be unfair.” “Never buy an Apple product without checking tech blogs to make sure a new version isn’t coming out in a month.” And we continue to climb the mountain and the lessons become even more complex and timely. “A lot of countries hate each other and the people who started it are long dead.” “People on the news like to yell a lot, trust yourself and your opinions.” “Wear a condom.”
But eventually you reach the top of the mountain with all your lessons in your bucket, and you empty that heavy burden on top of the mountain. You take your place on top of the fresh earth and wait for the next generation of climbers to pass your way with their buckets in hand. Now it’s your turn to place a handful of dirt in their bucket. What you teach them is up to you, but it is your responsibility to make this a taller, stronger mountain.
Each generation’s bucket is bigger than the last because the mountain is ever growing and there are more people to meet and lessons to be learned along the way. Because of this, with each passing generation the mountain gets harder to climb, but when you get to the top, you’re standing on an even greater wealth of knowledge and experience. And while the lessons you learned along the way may not always be exactly what you wanted to hear, the view from the top has never been better.
Yeah. And I just looked it up and George Takei was 29 when the original series began airing! I’m so surprised!
Another great piece of writing, which reminds me, how is your book going?
And while everyone was filling their buckets with knowledge, I must have been goofing around with my bucket on my head. This would explain a lot…
And happy birthday Joemo!
I would have bought you a shiny new dress/skort/skant, but I don’t have your address.
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Aw thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! I’ve been in and out of meetings all day…..meetings should be illegal on your birthday. I should be laying by the pool with a margarita….in fact, I think that’s what i’ll do.
Yay, birthday margaritas! Have a great time Joemo!
1. I don’t think the climb gets harder each generation. I think it gets easier.
2. Did anyone else think of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” while reading this?
I hate “The climb.” Everytime I hear it my ears sigh.
Craig: So weird you wrote this cuz I’ve had one of those dayz where you reflect on your life and get pissed that things are going the way you planned and everything be it your job/living situation/romantic relationships/money/friends just seem to be burdening your head with problems. Then I read this and it was like you were my therapist and said just what needed to be said.
Enrico: Yes…I immediately thought of Miley when I saw the mountain (that I want to move).
I want to drop a mountain on Miley. Is that bad?
* things aren’t going the way you planned
Tam: Don’t tell Miley’s dad’s heart
I just don’t think it’d understand
[insert apple, tree, distance joke here.]
PSH! Miley is amazing.
And a LOT more talented than her father.
Uh-UH! I’ll achey-break anyone who speaks ill of the great William Cyrus.
Very cool story and advice, Wise Craig…
That might be the most prolific thing I’ve ever read.