This picture was taken on a hike at Margarette Falls in East Tennessee. It came after navigating narrow ledges — a challenge for someone afraid of heights — and crossing a creek on slick, flat rocks. I wanted to cry. The image doesn’t quite capture how steep it felt to me, and knowing I wasn’t even close to finishing weighed heavily on me. I was overwhelmed and seriously didn’t want to continue.
Yet, I had made it that far — so, begrudgingly, I pressed on. I tried to find joy in my surroundings and look for the good, but it was so very difficult. Just beyond this point was a hidden spring tucked inside the cavity of a rock. There were waterfalls ahead, and I had already passed cascades adorned with beautiful flowers. Still, the journey felt harder than I expected — much like my life at that time.
So many thoughts circled in my head about how things hadn’t gone the way I had planned. But I reminded myself that I can walk without injury, that I was in reasonable shape, and that I would finish this hike. I knew the reward would be worth it, even if the journey felt long and scary.
The entire hike is about 2.4 miles out and back — roughly an hour and a half — but it’s challenging. If I had known those details beforehand, would I have gone? Maybe not. But if I hadn’t, I would have missed out on stunning vistas, hidden springs, and waterfalls. I would have missed out on pushing myself through fear.
Will I do it again? Maybe — but next time, I’d be better prepared.
What I learned is that I can survive difficult things — in hiking and in life. The one constant through every fear and doubt is that Heavenly Father is always there. Even when I don’t want to go on, He will help me if I simply take hold of His hand. He will lead me to heights that are new — even when those heights are scary.
Notes:
- “Does the Journey Seem Long,” page # 127, Joseph Fielding Smith, Hymns, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1985, (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/does-the-journey-seem-long?lang=eng ; accessed 4 March, 2025).