Mount Everest

50 years ago, Jim Whittaker became the first American to summit Mount Everest. This short Vimeo staff pick highlights some of the important lessons he’s learned in life. It’s such simple wisdom -the kind that is always refreshing to hear regardless of how many times you’ve heard it before.

The core message of this video is to not fear failure.

“So you do crash and burn, what the heck. You get up & you’ve learned something… I think people learn the most when they’re out of their comfort zone… Being out on the edge, with everything at risk is where you learn and grow the most.”

Listening to Jim Whittaker’s words over footage of some of the most beautiful regions of this planet is breathtaking. His simple wisdom, coupled with striking music and beautiful imagery inspires and moves. He believes that nature is the best teacher we have, and as I watched and listened I was humbled and slightly ashamed because of how little I’ve been appreciating this beautiful planet we have. Sure I enjoy daily walks outside and do my best to appreciate the little things, but on the large scale I truly haven’t taken in the magnitude and beauty of this planet we’ve been blessed with.

What Jim Whittaker says so reminds me of one of my all-time favorite quotes from Kurt Vonnegut where he says, “I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can’t see from the center.” Taking calculated risks are crucial and often lead to the greatest pay off. It’s true in the literal and metaphorical sense. Two weeks ago I was on a hike with a few other interns, and as we were approaching the tail-end of the trail, there was a huge rock that two others climbed up on to get a better view. A part of me wanted to join them, but I convinced myself that I was officially done. They insisted on me climbing up, and with a literal pull of the hand, I found myself at the top looking at the most beautiful view I’ve seen in a long time. Out on the edge it can be dangerous, but there’s something about that spot, a threshold if you will, that always seems to hold the most wonder & beauty. You just have to be willing to go there.

Like we always say at Invisible Children, “jump first, fear later.”