<P><A href="http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c011168a24497970c-pi"><img style="border-width:0;" height="196" alt="south mountain" src="http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c011168a2449a970c-pi" width="197" align="right" border="0"></A>This morning my husband Chris and I took a walk on <A href="http://phoenix.gov/parks/hiksofac.html" target="_blank">South Mountain</A>.&nbsp; As mountains go it is is not exactly the top of the heap. Mount Suppoa (the highest peak) reaches 2,690 feet.</P>
<P>As I tripped up the trail (literally) I saw others making the trek.&nbsp; Mothers with little children, bikers, hikers and the like, all were taking advantage of the trails on a glorious Arizona Sunday morning.</P>
<P>Walking the paths, I thought back on the week and the many people I had met with and talked to.&nbsp; Each were climbing their own mountains (metaphorically).&nbsp; Some were looking for jobs.&nbsp; Some were starting them.&nbsp; Others were starting new businesses or growing the businesses they work in.&nbsp; Some had had unexpected set backs.&nbsp; Some were worried about what was yet to come as the economy continued to falter and the stock market hit a new low.&nbsp; But interestingly, as each tackled their personal mountains...no one was giving up.&nbsp; Each was taking it one step at a time.&nbsp; </P>
<P><A href="http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c01127916f9df28a4-pi"><img style="border-width:0;" height="158" alt="DSC00084" src="http://jkw.typepad.com/.a/6a01053650f43d970c011168a244a0970c-pi" width="204" align="left" border="0"></A> I remember another time when things were pretty bleak.&nbsp; It was October of 2001.&nbsp; The Dot.com implosion had just begun to really gain momentum.&nbsp; Our country had just experienced one of its greatest tragedies - the horror of 9-11.&nbsp; At that time my husband and I were in China and climbing another mountain, this time along the Juyongguan Pass (about 37 miles from the city of Beijing)&nbsp; back in those days we also faced uncertainty, a perilous&nbsp; stock market, job losses, and the like.&nbsp; But we rose up after that period in history and started climbing again.&nbsp; Just like we did in '89, in '92 in the 70's and on and on it goes.&nbsp; You take each step just as my friends and I did along the Great Wall.&nbsp; You struggle to reach the 'top', and when you do, before you is an incredible vista - of more steps and watchtowers as far as the eye can see.&nbsp; Each one is a new milestone - a challenge to be reached.&nbsp; And in between there are valleys where you step down before you can begin to step up again.</P>
<P>It's been said that there is only one way to eat an elephant...one bite at a time.&nbsp; Well, when it comes to tackling mountains, we take it one step at a time.&nbsp; In the end, it's worth it.</P>
<P>So as I prepare to tackle the week ahead, I have my hiking shoes on.&nbsp; We each have a mountain to conquer, I wish you luck with yours.</P>
<P><strong>Joan Koerber-Walker, CorePurpose, Inc.</strong></P>
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