Jake Smith

Dear Roland Smith,

Your book Peak could possibly be one of the most inspiring books I have read. It taught me I can never set my goals too high. I am guilty of taking some of my highest goals and storing them away in a dusty old box that would never be opened. I do this when people would tell me I would never become this or never become that, and I would believe them. I thought it was foolish to think I would ever grow up and fulfill those goals. After reading your book I realized I can never set my goals too high. When I finished reading, I looked back at that box, brushed some of the dust off, then opened it up once again.

Peak's goal was big — to climb Mt. Everest. My goal was a small one that could lead to a bigger goal. My goal was to try out for a baseball team. Compared to climbing Mt. Everest that is a very small goal, but for me, it was a very big deal. It had been one of my goals since I heard about the team. I had been practicing and preparing for that moment to try and fulfill my goal. A few weeks after the tryout we got "the phone call". I made the team!

My goal, one I had put in my old box, was finally fulfilled! At that moment, I felt like I had made it to the summit of my Mt. Everest. The only reason I had not worked toward this goal sooner was because I was not old enough. You had to be ten, eleven, or twelve to make the team. I was only nine when I read your book, but this lesson had stuck with me.

Although people will tell me I will never become this or never become that I ignore them.  Your book taught me that this world, a world I once thought to be slow and dreary at some points, is actually a work full of opportunities.  A world where even the saddest, most lonely person’s goals can be fulfilled, it they keep believing they can reach them.  Thank you for teaching me a lesson that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

Sincerely,
Jake Smith