I tried to climb the mountain today.
On my journey, darkness started to fall, and i was full of fear, so i had to return to a safe place.

I was ready to climb the mountain today.
But it was so hot outside, i thought i had better stay in my nice air-conditioned house and rest for tomorrow's attempt.

I was about to climb the mountain today.
But i had so many other things to do, so instead of climbing the mountain i took care of much more important tasks. I washed my car, mowed the grass and watched the big game. Today the mountain will just have to wait.

I was going to climb the mountain today.
But as i stared at the mountain in its majestic beauty, i knew i stood no chance of making it to the top, so i figured why even bother trying.

I have forgotten about climbing the mountain today,
until a friend came by and asked me what i had been up to lately. I told him i was thinking about climbing that mountain some day. I went on and on about how i was going to accomplish this task.

Finally, he said, "I just got back from climbing the mountain. For the longest time i told myself i was trying to climb the mountain but never made any progress. I almost let the dream of making it to the top die. I came up with every excuse of why i could not make it up the mountain, but never once did i give myself a reason why i could. One day as i stared at the mountain and pondered, i realised that if i did not make an attempt at this dream all my dreams would eventually die."

"The next morning, i started my climb." He continued, "It was not easy, and at times i wanted to quit. But no matter what i faced, i placed one foot in front of the other, keeping a steady pace. When the wind tried to blow over the edge, i kept walking. When the voices inside my head screamed 'Stop!', I focused on my goal, never letting it out of sight, and i kept moving forward. At times, i was ready to quit, but i knew i had come too far. Time and time again, i reassured myself that i was going to finish this journey. I struggled to make it to the top, but i climbed the mountain!"

"I have to be going," my friend said. "By the way, what are you going to do tomorrow?"

I looked at him, with intensity and confidence in my eyes, and said, "I have a mountain to climb."

Written by Gary Barnes, 1999

In Gary Barnes' story, the friend inspired the story-teller to climb the mountain and reach for the clouds:

So friends, just wanna ask, what are your targets for 2008? Believe in yourself and you can definitely achieve. The conquest of a mountain begins with a single step. Focus on where you want to go, and today's preparations will determine tomorrow's achievements. Let us make 2008 a year with cause for more celebration! (:

These few days had been so stressful, so tired. I am just like the story- teller, there is full of fear in me. At times, i see myself wanna give up. But im just gonna to keep reminding myself of this mountain story. I want to climb the mountain and reach for the clouds! Yes, 2008 is gonna be the year that i see breakthrough in my life. "You can do all things through Christ who strengthen you." Yeah! (:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."