Reflections on Chapter 8: Vantage Point
What does it take to climb Mount Rainier?
Time. Training. Gear. Grit.
A commitment beyond logic—made long before the first step.
And still, some turn back. Why?
After the early mornings, the sacrifices, the belief that it would all be worth it—what makes someone break a commitment they once made with their whole heart?
It’s not laziness.
It’s not weakness.
It’s not even fear.
So what is it?
Disillusionment? (The climb wasn’t what they imagined.)
Unexpected hardship? (It became too painful. Too costly.)
Loss of meaning? (The summit no longer justified the sacrifice.)
This metaphor found me unexpectedly.
I snapped a photo flying into Seattle—never realizing it would one day mirror a deeper truth in my own life. One I hadn’t yet put into words:
Some climbs show you what you’re made of.
Others show you what you no longer need to prove.
And that’s exactly what Chapter 8 of Chasing the Carat is about.
💎 Chapter 8: Vantage Point
In this chapter, everything shifts.
It’s the moment where clarity cuts through the noise.
The moment I realize I’m no longer climbing for the right reasons—and no longer willing to ignore the cost.
This isn’t just about a relationship.
It’s about waking up to how ambition, performance, and even the dream itself can distort what really matters.
If you’ve ever pushed yourself toward a goal—only to realize it might not be the right summit—
this one’s for you.
🖤 Read Chapter 8: Vantage Point now here or visit the MY STORY tab on the site