Hiking San Gorgonio, the tallest mountain in Southern California, was an experience that left me with mixed emotions. At first, I was a little nervous about the daunting

20-mile trek. People around me shared their opinions, warning me about the difficulty of the trail, which made me pause and rethink my decision. Their words echoed in my mind as I prepared, making the mountain seem even more imposing.

But once I was on the trail, I quickly realized that it wasn't as hard as I had imagined. Yes, the mileage was long, but the journey felt surprisingly manageable. As I continued hiking, the fresh mountain air filled my lungs, and the companionship around me lightened my spirit. The beauty of the mountain and the simplicity of putting one foot in front of the other made me feel connected to the world around me, a connection that can feel lost at times.

When I reached the summit, I felt a sense of accomplishment, yet I was also left wondering about myself. I know there are others who have hiked this mountain many times, who run it with ease, and who have conquered even higher peaks. To them, this might be just another hike, nothing extraordinary.

But for me, it was a an accomplishment, one that I met and exceeded.

I'm still trying to figure out where I stand. Am I naturally inclined to these challenges, or are they just easier than l've been led to believe? Each goal I achieve makes me question my abilities, but also pushes me to explore what else I'm capable of. Maybe the answers will come with time, or maybe the journey itself is the answer. Either way, l'm eager to see how far I can go.