Jacoby Poulain: Climb is tough but view is great

Jacoby Poulain is a Hastings District Council Flaxmere Ward councillor and a Hawke's Bay District Health Board member.

I was on Facebook a day or two ago and I came across a snippet a friend wrote.

It read: "I had a talk to a beautiful 18-year-old girl today and I saw my 14-15 year old self in her.

"That was the age I started drinking and doing all sorts of stuff that no 14-15 year old should be doing. I was roaming the streets, looking for parties and fights.

"The girl said to me, 'I just drink, that's all I do whenever I can. I go roaming a lot and know these streets and a lot of people around this hood.'

"I said to her, 'really? Do you have any children?' She replied '... one on the way'.

"My heart just broke for her and her unborn child right then and there.

"I then asked her if she was given an opportunity to do something other than drinking would she give it a go? She replied yeah why not.

"I made a promise to her that I would show her the good stuff that this crazy world has to offer and I am gonna keep it."

My friend went on to encourage her readers that there's more to life than parties and quick pain relief, and that we shouldn't waste it on a bottle.

She summed up by saying, "It's crazy how life takes you out of a place and then takes you back there, but not for you, but to help someone else who needs to see what you somehow found a way to see."

I found this the most profound part of her story and perhaps the most profound of each of our own stories if we are able to see aspects of our lives and appreciate them the way she sees hers.

We each have highs and lows in our lives, and some people have greater degrees or extremes between the two than others.

We each experience hardships and, often at the time, it's difficult to understand the why or to see a way through.

All I know is that the lower the valleys in life often the higher the mountaintops and the better we appreciate the view once we get there.

The ironic thing is too that once we make it to the top, we can look back down and help others overcome the same adversity and circumstances that once gripped us negatively and threatened to consume us.

We can guide them with our wider perspective where to put their foot, how to hold on, encourage them with our words to climb and reach out to give them a hand once they're willing and within reach.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all those in our region and beyond that do this on a daily basis.

Those who guide and assist and encourage others, whether it's in your personal or professional capacity, it means a lot to those still in their season of climbing.

It's also a word of encouragement to those currently climbing particular mountains in life.

Persevere, you will make the top. When you do you'll find new views and heights and then you'll notice an amazing thing - people will be looking up to you for guidance and inspiration.