Filled to the top

Imagine struggling up the side of a mountain. Each step requires planning because it leads to the next and the next and the next. The way is rocky and steep. The air gets thinner at the top and even though the light seems brighter up there, it is cooler.

At last the journey is complete! You stand at the top of the mountain! You did it! You made it! Your world is complete! You have achieved your goal!

So there you are.

Now what?

You look around you and everything is perfect. Just the way you thought it would be. The rocks glitter with gold and quartz. The sun reflects off of everything. You are in great shape, even your eyes look brighter. The weather is just right. Everything is -- just a bit hollow, a little plastic feeling, empty in some way. It's not what you expected. And it stays that way.

Until you notice another mountain, a few peaks over, and it begins to call to you. You feel frustrated. You just got to the top of this one and to get to that other one will be a lot of work. You have to go down this one, cross several valleys, climb over two other mountains, but, oh well, you just start plugging away.

And somewhere along the way, you realize you are filled up again.