Hit Your Peak

Brgy. Sinapangan, Sitio Agkir-Agkir, Libungan, North Cotabato

In this fast-paced life filled with nerve-wracking and debilitating stressors, we have this tempting urge to escape in the mountains. Wanting to shout everything at the top of our lungs believing it might help us feel good.

Last 2018, I climbed Mt. Agkir-Agkir together with my older sister and our neighbors. They planned to climb Mt, Agkir-Agkir at noon then, they decided suddenly to go in the afternoon. So, we haven’t able to fully prepare. We started hiking around 3:30 pm. When we were already midway to reach the sitio, it rained like dogs and cats. All the things we brought, were soaked by the rain and it got slippery making it hard to walk, therefore slowing our pace. At that moment, I started to question myself If I can reach the peak considering the weather condition. But I just told myself that I have started it already therefore I have to finished it no matter what. Despite the challenges we’ve encountered along the way, we still able to reached the peak even though we arrived at around 7:00 pm. Climbing a mountain is a rewarding thing we can do to our self. It may change your life, your perspective, or maybe your behavior. As for me, climbing a mountain taught me two valuable lessons.

Believe in Yourself

First, it taught me to believe in myself. Reaching the peak made me boost my self-esteem and self-confidence. I realized that I am more than what I think I am. It was a big deal for me, as it fundamentally shifted my belief in myself. My experience was challenging, but it’s not impossible for me. There are times when I discouraged myself to do the things I want because I doubted myself most of the time. This kind of mindset hinder us to improve and grow as a person. Hiking a mountain is the furthest thing from easy. Both physical difficulties and mental difficulties will test us, but if we focus our mind to our destination (goal), the process doesn’t matter. The moment I’ve reached the peak, I literally felt elated upon seeing the majestic landscapes covered with the sea of clouds. Indeed, the best views come after the hardest climb.

Have a courage

Second, I learned to be strong. Strong enough to overcome exhaustion, frustration, doubts, and worries. I wouldn’t be able to reach the peak if I let myself be drowned with downhill thoughts. I strongly conquered both the mountain and myself. If I gave up along the way, I will never witness the best views and the best feeling to be on the peak of mountain. Same goes in life, to reach the top or the success, it requires courage, patience, and determination to overcome debilitating hurdles along the way

The exciting moments I experienced and values I have learned during hiking the trails made me want to go back again. The view of the valley from the top of the mountain was breathtaking. So, if you are a nature lover like me, then I highly recommend you visit Mt. Agkir-Agkir. Experience it yourself!