We did not see THIS coming...

Keep reading to find out what unexpected thing happened after this photo and what is has to do with your life right now.

It was the perfect day...we had just finished eating at one of our all-time favorite restaurants in Italy after a morning of boating between charming lakeside villages. We decided to take a short stroll around the hotel grounds post lunch and found ourselves wandering past the tennis courts into neatly manicured gardens. It was relaxing and such a beautiful day, so we kept following the path. A few minutes into our walk, we quickly realized this was not the short stroll we had expected...

A series of switchbacks had inconspicuously lifted us high above the town and the smooth path had now been exchanged for root-riddled and somewhat rocky terrain. Needless to say, our lunching attire and sandals were not ideally suited to this kind of hiking. However, after taking a quick inventory of our surroundings, we realized that we had already crossed the halfway point, so turning around wasn't exactly worth it. We had to keep going...

As we neared the top, the trees previously shading the path gave way to hot and steamy full sun. But the summit was in sight, so we continued eager to see what awaited us. We came around the corner and up a short set of steps that had been built into the ground. To our pleasant surprise, we were met with the most magnificent panoramic view!

Our unexpected hike had been more than worth it!!
Perhaps this year has felt similar to this experience. You may feel that you've been seemingly swept away into an uphill journey that you neither planned or prepared for.

While the temptation may be to wish you were still "lounging on the terrace" blissfully enjoying life, the reality is that you are going to a new level. This journey, though challenging at times, will provide new perspective and adventures, taking you to new heights that perhaps you didn't even know existed.

Gazing out at the top, we could see so much more than when we first began. In fact, from our vantage point at the tennis court, the mountain wasn't even visible. But the view from the top is still one that we reminisce about today!

So, we want to encourage you to keep climbing. Though the path may be rocky and the sun might be hot, remember that you can make it to the top. And when you do, you too will be able to take in the view and say, "It was worth it."