The Second Mountain

I spent my first mountain chasing the finish line. It took meeting my wife to notice there was a second one.

For years I measured things by the win, then the next one, then the one after that. I was proud of the pace. I didn't really clock what it was costing the people closest to me until I was already well past due noticing.

Meeting Shayna is what actually broke the pattern. I doubt I'd have gotten there on my own. Around then I read David Brooks' The Second Mountain, and the framing clicked: the first mountain is about you. The second one is about everyone else.

I'm still running the same drive I always had, just pointed in some new directions now. I'm chasing energy and connection instead of just the next win. I'm working on updating old habits into better ones as a father, husband, and friend. Ahead of me: more challenge, more learning, hopefully some fun along the way. Not solved. Pardon the dust. Still under construction, working toward higher ground.

I don't think the second mountain replaces the first one. I think you just stop being the only person standing on top of it.

Which mountain are you actually climbing right now, and who's it for?