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Guest Article

04/30/2024 3:00 PM | Anonymous

Chellie Campbell,
Financial Stress
Reduction Expert

The City at the Summit — from “The Wealthy Spirit"

"You cannot put the same shoe on every foot.”

 — Publilius Syrus

The white-washed walls of the city of Santorini sparkle atop the steep cliffs that rise majestically from the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Ships nestle in the harbor, surrounded by three islands that some say are the remains of the mythical city of Atlantis.

From the boat dock, you can climb the one thousand steps to the summit, or, if you prefer, you can ride a donkey—the local guides take groups up every half hour. Tour busses can take you around the island before dropping you off at the top. 

The fastest way to the city is to take the cable car. Some people find their own precarious way up the mountain, slowly and laboriously climbing over the rocks.

A few visitors go directly to the city. Others take the detour around the island, looking at ancient ruins, and arrive at the summit later in the day. Some play all day on the beach, and still others stay on the ship and just gaze at the stars from below.

Among the visitors, there are sometimes arguments about which is the better way to get to the summit. 

“The cable car is faster!” some claim. 

“But it’s more fun to ride the donkeys!” others retort. 

Those on the tour busses say, “Why go directly to the top? Enjoy the rest of the island first.” 

“Climbing is good for your health!” say the rest. 

But no one says you won’t get to the summit unless you take their route. The cable car riders don’t go to battle with the donkey riders. The rock climbers don’t throw rocks at the people on the stairs. No one ambushes the busses. 

It is clear there are many paths, and all lead to the city.

The citizens of Santorini are happy to greet the visitors, whoever they are and whenever they arrive. It makes no difference to them what mode of transportation the visitors choose or what time they appear. 

They may laugh gently at the slow climbers who choose the most difficult way. And they may wistfully regret that the sun-bathers at the beach or the star-gazers on the ship don’t make it to the summit this trip. Oh, well, they shrug, maybe next year.

You may come when you wish, how you wish. All roads take you to the top. 

Whatever path you choose, when you reach the city, you are welcomed.

Today’s Affirmation: “Whatever path I choose is the perfect path for me.”

Chellie Campbell, Financial Stress Reduction Expert, is the author of bestselling books The Wealthy Spirit, Zero to Zillionaire, and From Worry to Wealthy: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Success Without the Stress. She has been treating Money Disorders like Spending Bulimia and Income Anorexia in her Financial Stress Reduction® Workshops for over 25 years and is still speaking, writing, and teaching workshops—now as Zoom classes and The Wealthy Spirit Group on Facebook—with participants from all over the world. Website: www.chellie.com.

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