It is beautiful up here on the summit of Plover Hill. I have never been anywhere like it.

Icicles have formed around each blade of grass, frozen in place by the wind. Millions of ice jewels catch the sunlight, creating a glittering carpet of diamonds and daggers. The landscape is completely still, except for the occasional croak of a raven. Jason and I are alone here at the summit and we have this enchanted space to ourselves for a couple of hours as we make our way over to neighbouring Pen-y-ghent mountain.

Up here, I reflect on how much has changed. Just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to climb this mountain without pain. A few years before that, I wouldn’t have even attempted it. Now, I know I could do it again tomorrow if I wanted to. The simple commitment I made at one of our online retreats two years ago changed everything for me, enabling me to not just heal my body but transform my entire way of being.

Today is Friday, once unimaginable as a day away from my laptop as I believed work always had to come first. But now, I make sure I prioritise play before work, which is something I have been working on for many years on my spiritual path. And because I have changed my priorities and worked through my blocks, I’m here, witnessing this rare and perfect spectacle. If I had waited until the weekend, I would have missed it as clouds are forecast to roll in, obscuring the view and the light. Some moments in life can’t be postponed.

Meeting the edge

Pen-y-ghent, which adjoins Plover Hill, is a Celtic name meaning “the hill on the edge”. What’s intriguing isn’t why it was given this name, but why it has never changed. All the other mountains in the Yorkshire Dales have been renamed since Celtic times, some holding Norse names and others Anglo-Saxon. Pen-y-ghent has kept its ancient identity.

Up here, I have met my own edges, too. Last year, this was the site of my first solo mountain walk - a challenge that led me to overcoming my fears and opened up a whole new level of freedom for me. Today, I face a different kind of edge: a problem that has been swirling in my mind consuming my thoughts. But as I reach the summit, I finally realise that I am getting caught up in someone else’s drama and make the decision to step away. From that moment, my nervous system relaxes and my head finally clears.

The necessity of taking time out

Taking time for ourselves is essential, especially in spiritual work. In a world moving at breakneck speed, pausing to reflect is more crucial than ever. Without time out for ourselves, we can’t hope to make the changes our souls are calling us to make.

It is only in this moments, pausing from the everyday, that we can tune in with our spirit guides in the Otherworld and hear the wisdom that resides in nature. In these moments we can receive guidance and clarify what we truly want from life.

We can do this at any time of year, but early spring carries a special energy. As the Earth awakens, so can we. Slowly, gently, we emerge - just like the first flowers, just like the first birdsong of the season.

The challenge of focus

One of the biggest challenges people face today is maintaining focus. Creating space to receive spiritual guidance is essential if we want to stay aligned with our path rather than being swept off course by distractions.

Yet, our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions, making it harder than ever to carve out time for ourselves. And setting boundaries, prioritising personal growth, and saying no to others demands can feel indulgent. But it is crucial that we do create this space for ourselves. Without focus, gaining clarity on the next step on our path in life becomes incredibly difficult.