Maybe the Mountain is You
Weekend Reads v. 12 July 2026
One of my biggest failures was trying and then not succeeding at gaining entry into a graduate creative writing program. Now I see this failure as an incredible blessing. But rejection rarely feels good, and so this experience lives on as a line on my failure resume.
Right before I submitted all those applications and fees, I had dinner with my then-roommate at a diner off Santa Monica Blvd. not far from our apartment. She was finishing her graduate school experience while I was hoping to start mine, and naturally she had guidance to share about the application process.
“Chances are, this experience is not about the destination but the journey. It’s not guaranteed you’ll get in,” she said as we ate burgers under vintage movie posters.
This roommate’s communication style was blunt more than not, but I knew at the time that she was right. This mutual understanding is likely why I was able to shrug off that handful of letters that said “thank you, next.” What’s interesting, though, is that journey never seemed to impart some great change in me. Obviously I never reached my intended destination, but it’s not as though one of the short stories I’d written ever saw the light of day again. If anything, the experience planted a seed of distrust in me regarding higher education that grew with every application fee.
It wasn’t until last week when I saw a post on social media that I thought about the point of that grad school journey to nowhere. The post was accidentally shared by its author Brianna Wiest and it read, “The purpose of the difficulty is to turn you into the person who can handle it with grace–not just so that the challenge in front of you transforms, but so that everything else does, too.”
Ms. Wiest is the author of a book I have not read called “The Mountain is You.” I have a pretty good guess as to the thesis of that book.
It’s true, though, that we often see difficulty as something to get around as quickly as possible. Climbing the mountain is a victory to be claimed, and that’s about it. The idea of victory being defined as a refinement of our character to include a natural bent toward patience and kindness is not often linked with conquering great quests. How often have people used a challenge as an excuse to become sour or arrogant? How many times have people indulged in a self-centeredness that inflicted discomfort on others simply because they themselves were uncomfortable? Or people withheld celebration because someone received what they wanted?
For those of us walking through difficult journeys, may we remember our greatest achievement is not found outside of us. The point of all these journeys is to soften our edges, strengthen our core, and be a benefit to those around us. Same goes for you lucky souls walking through a patch of blessing. Don’t let those good things lift you above another.
You, my friend, are the mountain. You are the focal point of the horizon, the ultimate destination, the hero of the story, and the precious being that matters. Don’t allow hardship or good fortune to harden you to the point where you forget this. The ultimate goal is betterment of ourselves not collecting achievements.
I will be sad when this year’s World Cup has ended. Sure, there are gripes to be made about the organization behind the tournament and what not, but I’ve loved the unifying experience that’s resulted from this particular tournament. The soundtrack of this summer, for me, will be strangers erupting in cheers as they crowd around TVs in bars and restaurants. I have a vivid recollection of sitting at a traffic light in Santa Monica with my windows rolled down and hearing patrons of several bars erupt with delight as their team scored. I’ll also miss seeing the whole world get in on the fun and cheer one another on. Case in point: a lost bet had Norwegian Air briefly replace its logo on social media channels with British Airways’ logo. The well-wishes that accompanied the announcement encapsulate the positive vibes this tournament has generated off the pitch/field.
Speaking of Norway — was the hilarious video you saw on social media of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland a fake? He’s apparently become an AI darling, so maybe so.
Oh that’s right! Wimbledon is going on as well. The Royal watch, of course, is also on as people get a chance to listen in on what Princess Kate chats about from her perch in the stands.
Looking for a new industry to invest in? Maybe dentures are your ticket to riches? The restorative dentistry market is poised for growth to the tune of $10B thanks to 3D printers and a whole lotta people wanting to touch up their veneers.
I suspect the intersection of this experiment to create human eggs in a lab and this robot with “human” hands will be the controversy of the next decade, moving from debates surrounding ethics, to proposed legislation, and then to a never-ending stream of litigation.
I recently lost my beloved travel hoodie (does anyone else have items solely used during travel?), and it has been surprisingly hard to find a replacement. After a few chilly hotel room mornings, I caved and bought what might be the softest hoodie ever from a hotel gift shop. The hoodie is from Marine Layer. Lucky you – they are on sale! (Here’s one for the guys)
A stunning guide to Menorca. This is a perfect destination for those who join me in the preference to travel during shoulder season. And unlike Mallorca, this island still feels like a secret! This resort looks like something out of a magazine while this hotel seems to have everything I love in a Spanish hotel - quirky design and a constant connection to nature. And wouldn’t it be so fun to enjoy a heaping plate of fideuà at this restaurant by the sea?
Can I let you in on a little secret? I’m loving the new single from Brandon Flowers. You may recall his days as the frontman for The Killers, a rock band that seemed to be everywhere all the time for a season. I liked The Killers well enough, but they weren’t a favorite. Mr. Flowers, however, has created some interesting work as a solo artist, and I am really digging this new Country Western chapter. Too bad I have to wait until the 21st of August for the entire album. (Bonus - check out this gorgeous live version of the new single)
The start of the new book “Lion” by Sonya Walger is beautiful. The book focuses on her experience as the daughter of a stuntman, but the opener focuses on her mother:
“It’s hard to compete with adrenalin when you are a child, but how hard to be the one who stayed! The one who packed the raisins but not the nuts, who wiped the lipstick off the piano teacher’s mug, tissue-wrapped the Christmas ornaments, washed the sheets, staunched the blood, ignored the lies and the slammed doors, peeled the stickers off the walls, fought for sunscreen and table manners, made beds, combed out the lice, stapled the hems and later sewed them, kissed the friends, befriended the lovers, returned the books, loaned the car, the house, the denim jacket with the Liberty lining, combed out the lice, listened to the story tape jammed in the car stereo, held back the hair bent over the loo, paid the school fees, paid the tennis coach, paid the airfare, combed out the lice, pushed the swings, paired the socks, allowed the cigarettes, forbade unkindness, packed the trunk, renewed the passports, taught the second tongue, recited the alphabet, churned the ice cream, bought the brads, the Walkman, the wedding dress, learned the names and never forgot them, shared the crossword, the towel, the chewed gum.” (h/t Cup of Jo)
Here’s to the week ahead. May it be slow and deliberate.