Loco Pete, Jackknife Willy and Montana Slim were three of the most grizzled prospectors in the Sierra Nevadas during the California Gold Rush days. One day the three men came across a treasure map. They made a copy for each man and decided that whoever got to the treasure first would take it all and the other two would go on prospecting. That night each man sat with his copy of the map and plotted how he would go about getting to the treasure first. Jackknife Willy knew it would careful planning and preparation to make the trip. He decided to turn in early and get a good night’s sleep. Loco Pete knew there were just two ways to get to the cabin where the treasure was hidden: over the mountain or around the mountain. He planned on going around the mountain.

It was late fall and storms were coming. He didn’t want to get caught in the snow on top of the mountain. If he went around the mountain there would be plenty of fishing and hunting along the way. Montana Slim decided that he had to take the risk and go over the mountain. It would be a tough climb in harsh weather – but he was going to win that treasure!

The next morning Jackknife Willy woke up – two hours after the other two men had already left camp. He couldn’t figure why they’d leave without breakfast.

Loco Pete followed the river as it curved around the mountain. When he came to the point where he needed to cross the river and go around the other side of the mountain, he decided the river was too wide. He opted to walk along further down where the river was less deep and less risky.

Montana Slim was nearly halfway up the mountain. He couldn’t see the cabin and he wanted to be sure he was heading in the right direction. He’d been over those mountains before and knew if he headed toward the Big Pine on the top of the mountain he would then be able to see Indian Rock. Once he got to Indian Rock, he should be able to see the cabin. So he kept Big Pine in his sights and pressed on carefully choosing foot and handholds in the rock.

Back at camp Jackknife Willy packed and repacked to make sure he had everything he’d need for the trip but not so much that his pack would be too heavy. The afternoon grew late and he noticed clouds forming on the horizon. He knew a storm was brewing. He unpacked his tent and put in for the night. He didn’t want to get caught in a storm.

Loco Pete also saw the storm clouds and just as the rain began to fall he found shelter under an old oak. As he lay on his bedroll he wondered how Montana Slim was faring up on the mountain.

Montana shivered with the cold and knew he needed to keep moving. The rain had turned to snow and if he stopped he could easily freeze to death. He was almost at Indian Rock – He had to keep going.

The next morning Jackknife Willy decided it was time to finally get started. He packed up and then realized his knife needed sharpening – so he sat down and got to work on it.

Loco Pete found the narrow in the river, crossed the ridge, and saw the cabin down in a beautiful meadow. He started to run. He knew he’d reached his goal. He threw open the cabin door, ran into the room and pried loose the floor board. Under the floor all he found was dirt and a piece of paper. He unfolded the paper which said:

Loco Pete and Jackknife Willy –
You lost the race before you ever started.
Every choice has a consequence.
Montana Slim

Montana got the treasure – but did he win the race? Well that all depends on how you define success. You see, Montana took his treasure to San Francisco and lost it all in a poker game. He was back at prospecting within the year.

Loco Pete decided he kind of liked that little cabin and became a farmer. He married a sweet little thing from the settlement and raised four boys on that land.

Jackknife Willy moved back to the settlement. He learned he liked working with tools and opened a shop. He became known for miles around as a prosperous businessman.

So who was really the winner? What is really important? Each man started in the same place, but ended up with something very different. One man lives a life of adventure and risk, another builds his life around family, another around business. The choices we make on the journey, the course corrections we make lead us further from the starting point and beyond or below our goals.

A study was done comparing two men from the 1700’s: William Smith and Jonathan Edwards. Now you may have heard of Jonathan Edwards, a minister and theologian. He was a man of strong moral values and integrity. It’s not likely you’ve heard of William Smith. He was an immoral man with low values and little character. At the time of this study Smith had 1026 descendants. Of those descendants there were 300 convicts, 27 murderers, 190 prostitutes, and over 500 drug and alcohol abusers. The Smith family cost the state of New York millions of dollars. Edwards left 929 descendants with 430 ministers, 314 war veterans, 75 authors, 99 college professors and presidents, 7 congressmen, 3 governors, and 1 vice president of the United States!

It’s doubtful that Edwards ever dreamed his children’s children would have the impact on American culture that they have. His desire was to live in a way that honored his Christian values. It’s equally doubtful that William Smith even gave a thought to the legacy he was leaving behind. But the choices each man made affected their own lives and the lives of generations to come.

How do you define success? And once you’ve set out on a path, how do you know where you will end up? One thing is sure – it is the choices we make, the way we overcome obstacles, and our true character that will determine our end.

Lisa Van Allen
http://www.vanallencoaching.com