Raise your hands, hold on tight. Either way, enjoy the ride.
Apex of Hard Work
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we push, plan, and sometimes forget to breathe in between.
There are days when the climb feels endless, like no matter how much I do, I’m still not “there.” This leads to my exhaustion, and sometimes paralysis, because I feel overwhelmed with no end in sight. I wonder if it is worth the effort.
Then I reread this message from the Lumer Council and remember that the hard parts are part of the plan for living an abundant living.
The climb is what builds momentum. The pause at the top is the gasp before success, joy, and that sense of accomplishment.
🌊 Lumer Council Message
You reach the apex of hard work, climbing that big hill like on a roller coaster, then you go down really fast on the other side.
It’s scary but fun. On the way down, you ask yourself:
Do I raise my hands, or do I hold on tight?
Either one is fine. Raise your hands. Have fun. Go wild with it.
Or hold on tight to people around you, people you trust. But let yourself go so you can get to the next hill and the next fun part.
Look at the uphill climb as a necessary part of the ride. It’s looking forward to the next great thing.
It feels hard and scary, but that feeling is actually anticipation. It’s exciting if you look at it that way.
Fear and anticipation are the same type of feeling in the gut, but they are still different.
🌀 Taking It In
Every time I revisit this message, I’m reminded how often I confuse anticipation with anxiety. That same gut-tight feeling before a big project, a tough conversation, or a leap of faith.
It can feel like fear, but maybe it’s just energy gathering for creating something better.
The Council reframes the “grind” as a build-up. The climb is the tension before release, the moment when all your work clicks and suddenly, you’re flying downhill. Momentum carrying you forward, faster than you expected.
We don’t have to limit our choices in experiencing those moments. Some of us raise our hands and scream with joy. Others hold tight to trusted people beside us. Both choices are acts of trust.
The point isn’t control. It’s allowing yourself to feel and appreciate the ride.
What if the hard parts aren’t obstacles but evidence that something exciting is close? That the energy building inside you is preparing for better.
When I look at it that way, every uphill stretch becomes proof that growth and joy are near.
🌱 Simple Shift
Next time you feel tension or resistance,
pause and ask yourself: Is this fear, or anticipation?
Then breathe into that sensation, imagining you’re at the top of a hill, just about to rush forward. Feel the excitement, the movement already building.
Whether you raise your hands or hold on tight, trust that the momentum is carrying you toward the next joyful curve.
Trust you will get to the other side with new perspectives and better opportunities.
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you tend to raise your hands or hold on tight when life speeds up?
Share your answer, or your favorite “roller coaster” moment, in the comments.
🌾 Living the Teachings
If you’d like to go deeper, explore the companion Step by Step Reflection Guide, available to paid subscribers. It includes 3 easy to do practices:
Journaling Practice: Clarify Your True North
Write freely to explore what success truly means to you and what goals feel aligned with your values.Gentle Practice: The Step of the Day
Bring awareness to one small, meaningful action each day. This simple acknowledgment strengthens gratitude and momentum.Creative Practice: Design Your Path
Create a visual expression of your progress by drawing or mapping your steps. This creative act helps you see your growth over time.
In Love and Light,
Merdhin
