Recording our latest sINgSPIRE virtual choir song, There’s a Mountaintop, was quite the endeavour! I had to split the vocals into so many parts that our audio engineer, Pete White, undoubtedly needed a strong cup of tea afterwards. I could almost see him rubbing his temples as he painstakingly pieced everything together. Unfortunately, the video recording didn’t happen at all since I was feeling a bit under the weather at the time. My voice made it into the final mix, but my face remains absent from this project.
It’s as if this song were penned especially for me. As I sing, there’s a mountaintop that I always want to climb, I’m reminded of every powdery slope I’ve encountered, or ever yearned to conquer. For me, this isn’t merely a metaphor; it’s a tangible challenge. Skiing is my passion, a way to feel alive and free despite the constraints of cystic fibrosis. It symbolises every hurdle I’ve faced in my life, each descent down a snowy peak echoing the struggles and triumphs of my journey.
Skiing a mountain isn’t just about reaching the peak and then shredding down; it’s about the journey, the hope that propels each step forward, and the friends and community. As the lyrics say, from the top, the air is clearer, and the view can last for days: that clarity and perspective are what we all seek. It’s the hope that keeps us moving, even when the path is steep and the obstacles numerous. So, every time I strap on my skis, I’m reminded of the myriad ways hope fuels my determination. Hope is in every breath, every step, every glide forward. The mountain becomes a symbol of all the challenges I’ve faced and the triumphs I’ve celebrated.
Yet, climbing a mountain isn’t solely about hope; it’s about knowing when to surrender. There are days when the mountain seems insurmountable, when the weight of my plans and worries threatens to drag me down. In those moments, surrender becomes a powerful act of courage. It’s not about giving up, but about letting go and maybe leaving it for a better day. It’s about recognising that some things are beyond my control, and about trusting in the journey and the path.
Skiing teaches me this.
On the slopes, I must let go of the illusion of control, allowing gravity and the terrain to guide me, and with a bit of skill to keep me safe, I hope. This mirrors how I manage my cystic fibrosis – balancing meticulous control over my treatments with accepting the moments when my body insists on changing plans. The lyrics resonate deeply: been so long since I had to surrender, every plan held tight within my hand.
And then, there’s the community. My small CF community, my fellow sINgSPIRE choir members, and my friends and family are my lifeline. They are always there to provide advice, share a laugh, or offer a shoulder. They’re the ones who understand the struggles and celebrate the victories. They’re the ones I can call when the climb feels too hard or when the descent is too steep. Their presence is a constant reminder that while the journey is mine, I don’t have to face it alone.
Being part of the sINgSPIRE virtual choir has given me a unique space to express this journey through music. The lyrics we sing together encapsulate the essence of hope, surrender, and community. They remind me that even in the toughest times, there’s a melody of strength and resilience that we all share.
So, as I continue to climb my personal mountains, I carry with me the lessons of hope, the power of surrender, and the unbreakable bond of community. Each breath, each step, each note we sing is a testament to the journey we are all on.
Take a breath, take a step, and remember that we’re here, together, facing our mountains with courage and hope.
