Over Easter, I tramped over Ball Pass with some friends down in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. We climbed this stunning ridge with the tallest mountain in the country taking up space opposite and above us. I didn’t even realise it was Aoraki! I knew that was a few kilometres away and I was wondering what this big beast in front of me was called…
One of the boys on this trip was frustrating me. He is probably the fittest person I have ever met, totally focused on the destination, competitive, rushed etc. I was puffed, having trouble keeping up and irritated that my trip (I had organised this weekend) was getting hijacked by some bloke my friend invited.
Why are we moving so quickly? This was not what I had in mind! What’s the rush? Why can’t we take some more snack stops, a few more pictures, have some more snow fights and silliness, chat shit and appreciate the view? Maybe I would have realised the impressive mountain on my right was Mount Cook!
I thought about my fast pace in other areas of my life too. I realised I want to slow down. I want to read books, listen to podcasts, paint, go for runs and appreciate the trees changing colour. I want to notice. I want to have the time to look for this big presence who seeps into the everyday – the one I call God. What’s the rush? Why am I so caught up in getting from A to B? What does it matter what speed everyone else is walking? I am here now. Gotta take in the view.
