In 2018, Eric made an attempt to hike the infamous Half Dome but panicked once he reached the Sub Dome. The fear of falling left him frozen. While his friends hiked to the top, Eric sat at the bottom by himself thinking about how much he had failed. All of the training and preparation he did for the hike was wasted. Eric became angry, bitter, and depressed because he allowed his fear to stop him from enjoying life. It was a huge regret, but after attempting the hike for a second time a couple of years later, Eric realized he shouldn't have been too hard on himself. It shouldn't be about getting to the finish line, but about how much we are able to endure and keep pushing through our thoughts when life gets difficult. It doesn't matter how far you get. What matters is whether or not you learned something along the journey.
In Halfway There, Eric Medina shares how he personally deals with fear, anxiety, forgiveness, and finding happiness in a world that encourages victimhood and finger-pointing. Join Eric as he hikes toward Half Dome and, along the trail, comes across various landmarks that explore:
How social media creates a false image of ourselves, which only keeps us lonelier and more depressed (Man in the Mirror Lake)
How to embrace failure and see it as an opportunity for growth, instead of a setback (Vernal & Nevada Falls)
How to find the silver lining in all situations when things don't go according to plan (Silver Lining Apron Bridge)
How "hugging the cactus" will create humility in a time of deep struggle (Little Yosemite Valley of the Shadow of Death)
How spending your time wisely and with the right people can make a difference in your own happiness (Not so Happy Isles)
When you learn to meet yourself halfway, you can then begin to take yourself the rest of the way there. In a culture where we always have to prove ourselves to others, it's perfectly okay to attempt something, even if you fail. The important thing is to simply try everything, rather than never trying anything at all. Only you are responsible for your own happiness.