Commentary: When will you reach the 'top'

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Howard Teesdale
  • 47th Operations Support Squadron
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A few years back I had the pleasure of spending time with my son on a trip to Garmish, Germany. Our plan was to bike to the top of Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze because we had heard that the view from the top was incredible.

Unknown to my son, part of the plan was to earn 'bragging' rights that we could share with our family and friends. We never made it, that's to say, by bike!

Without having to research statistics from credible sources, I would be willing to bet $1 million that at some point in your life, you have yearned to reach the 'top' of something on more than one occasion. What I wouldn't be willing to bet on, is knowing what your 'top' is. Is it a mountain, as in the case of my son and I, or is it reaching a certain rank, position, qualification or otherwise?

The point is there isn't just one 'top', there are many. In fact, there may be more than one 'top' until you reach the 'top'. In my opinion, the 'top' is the point at which you stop and are able to reflect on the path that got you to where you are.

I will switch gears now in order to try and answer the title question, "When will you reach the 'top'?

I don't know.

The only person truly able to answer that question is you, but let me help you by asking you another question. Where are you now? Take a deep breath, and ask yourself, "where am I now?"

What did you hear?

The mere fact that you've made it to this point in your life, career or otherwise is because you are on a journey to the 'top', whatever that may be for you. Yes, you will fall into some valleys, pits, low points and seemingly bottomless holes, but those low points only happened after you reached the 'top' of something. Never discount reaching the 'top'. When you are there, take time to reflect and enjoy it. When you are there take as many people with you as possible.

Finally, if the 'top' is in sight and you don't have the strength to get there, seek out help, advice or go a different way but never give up!

Reflecting on that trip to Garmish with my son, he and I made it to the halfway point. Yes, we were disappointed that we didn't make it to the top of the mountain, but we certainly enjoyed the view from where we ended up. It just so happened, we made it to our personal 'top' that day.

After an exhilarating ride down from the halfway point, we ran into some friends who invited us to accompany them to the top the next day. We took a mountain gondola. When we got to the top, the weather was gorgeous and the view from the top was one we will never forget. I can't wait to get back to the top of the Zugspitze one day.

Are you ready to get to the 'top'?