One Step at a Time – Lessons from El Yunque National Forest

As a pup in a loving home, I’m not faced with too much adversity these days. I’ll be honest, I’ve got it pretty good. But every now and then, I take on something challenging...something that exhausts me to my very core...like gnawing on a tennis ball until I finally break into the place where the squeaker lives. I’m a go-getter. I see a challenge and I’m like...LET’S DO THIS!!!

But here’s the thing, some challenges can’t be tackled all at once. They take persistence. Perseverance. Determination. Grit. That’s exactly what my humans taught me when they sized up a mountain and decided to climb to its peak.

Last fall, they made it to some amazing heights when exploring El Yunque. But this time around, they went all the way to the top. The peak sits about 3,500 feet high, though thankfully, they didn’t have to start from sea level. Even so, standing at the base and looking up, they felt a mix of excitement alongside a wondering if they could actually make it all the way up there.

I completely understand that thinking. Sometimes, the task at paw seems really large to me too. In those moments, when I feel overwhelmed, it helps me to take it one step at a time. I hold the end goal in mind. In my case...the squeaker. In their case...the mountain peak. Then, I remind myself I can’t get there all at once. I can just keep moving forward. Just keep gnawing (or, in their case, climbing).

Every now and then, it helps to pause and reflect on where I’ve come from. But I don’t want to look backward for too long, lest I lose my footing. For me, it’s about learning from the past, staying grounded in the present, and holding onto hope for what’s ahead.

Step by step, my humans climbed and climbed. Eventually, they reached the top of El Yunque. There they stood, high above San Juan, surrounded by breathtaking views in every direction and a cool breeze reminding them they’d made it. They looked back at where they started and were amazed at what can happen when you just keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Whether you’re facing difficulties, climbing a mountain, or trying to liberate a squeaker from a tennis ball, I hope you find the courage to keep moving forward one step at a time. It’s worth it! And so are you!