Hold Tight to Values, Hold Light to Goals

Guest Post by my brother-in-law, Nick Allen

The last few months have been tough. Neurological symptoms and fatigue have held me back, and many of the goals I set for this winter – skiing, ski touring, climbing peaks – simply didn’t happen.

I had envisioned spending many bluebird days in the mountains this winter, enjoying the pleasure of skiing fresh powder on backcountry slopes, and the quiet satisfaction of standing next to a summit. Instead, I have found myself retreating from the peaks and, more often, sitting at home, managing symptoms as I watched other people get outside.

During setbacks, I often feel a deep sense of loss. I’ve worked hard toward those goals, and letting them go feels like something important had slipped away – moments of joy that can never be recovered. But that’s when I remind myself:

Hold tight to values; hold light to goals.

I’ve realized that goals are like peaks – a desired outcome that you work towards. Values are the compass – the guiding principles that map out the path and our decisions along the way. Values don’t change when plans fall apart or the body doesn’t cooperate. Values stay with us, quietly reminding us of what matters most.

When life gets hard, it’s tempting to focus on the goals we can’t or didn’t do. Values invite us to focus on the next step, asking the question: “How can I still live the kind of life I care about, even here, even now?”

Living out my values, adventure is exploring a new street or road during my morning walks. Curiosity is learning something new, or noticing the play of light across the footpath as I walk. Spirituality is about enjoying moments of stillness and connecting to God who is infinitely bigger than me – not in dramatic mountaintop experiences, but in a small quiet moment close to home.

These moments don’t replace the big adventures, but they keep me connected to the thread that runs through them. Sometimes, we are asked to let go of what we planned so we can hold more tightly onto what matters. That’s not giving up — it’s choosing to keep showing up for the things that make life meaningful, even when the our circumstances are limited.

To learn more about Nick, check out his book To The Summit and visit the Mastering Mountains website.