The Sunrise that Changed Everything

At 2 AM, I woke up feeling sick and cold, barely able to function. After an hour-long drive through the dark, I stepped out of the car and immediately puked—not the best start to climbing Mount Batur. Someone lent me a jacket, an unexpected act of kindness. But as I stood there, struggling to gather myself, I could already hear the doubts:

"Are you sure you can make it?"
"Maybe you should stay behind."

With darkness all around, I started walking—slowly, painfully, but trusting myself. Every step forward was a battle between discomfort and determination. I had to keep pace, or I wouldn’t reach the summit in time for the sunrise.

Halfway up, just as I started feeling better, motorbikes roared past, carrying people who wanted a faster, easier way to the top. The dust kicked up, making it even harder to breathe. Some hikers gave up along the way.

But I kept going. Step by step. Breath by breath.

When I finally reached the summit, the first rays of sunlight broke through the horizon. The person who took this photo looked at me, surprised, and said:

"You were the last person I expected to be here this morning."

That moment still stays with me. Because life is a lot like this climb.

• People will question your abilities. 
• You will doubt yourself. 
• Others will take shortcuts. 
• Many will quit.

But if you keep moving forward, trusting yourself, pushing through the discomfort, you will make it. And when you do, the view will be worth it.