It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom

I use Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's (Mahatma Gandhi) quote as the title of my posting today, "It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err."

I mainly use this quote because it is fitting to the occasion and I happened to be wearing a hand painted t-shirt with his face just before my shower a few minutes ago.

Today, I was conquered by a hill, Canada Hill in Miri. I did not expect it to be tough. But it was tougher than I expected. I do not know what happened. I do not think I am extremely fit but I am not unfit either.

The easy part

I have been up hills and mountains before as well as jungle trekking. In my younger days growing up in Penang, hiking up Penang Hill was rather common, sometimes a weekly activity.

I have been up to Akinabalu or Mount Kinabalu. Also hiked the Badlands National Park and the Black Hills in South Dakota.

I have been up to the Blue Mountains of Australia as well as some hills in Wisconsin.

So, I was surprised and a little shocked at what happened while I climbed up Canada Hill.

It started of well but soon it took a turn for the worse. It was not even too difficult a climb and not one of the worse climbs that I have done But I started seating profusely, started being breathless, my heart started beating very fast and I started feeling dizzy. For a while, I thought I was having a heart attack at 39.

Can see how exhausted I am

I am glad for the friends that were there cause they stayed back, did not push, encouraged me to rest, waited patiently for me, did not make fun after, did not say anything discouraging. I doubt that I could have gone as far if not for them (and trust me, I did not get that far today).

One of them said, you'll either do it again and again or this may be the last time. When I was up there and facing all the problems with my breathing, I thought this may be the last time. Mainly because I felt a little guilty for the friends who had to wait for me, also because I felt at that time I am not cut out for this.

The end

Then I started thinking of all the places I have hiked, and all the places I have been to in the world and all the places I have pushed myself and achieved....... and all these times, there were always friends who would encourage and be there. Sometimes, I was the friend encouraging and waiting my other friends.

Canada Hill conquered me today, but one day, I will conquer it and I will not do it alone, my friends will be there.

I may get the bruises and cuts and dust and grass, I may get aches and pains and mosquito bites and bugs, but I will hike Canada Hill with my buddies and hopefully an angel and butterfly will watch over me ;-)

"I seldom think of my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers." - Helen Keller.

Take care and be well.