Chopping down redwood....

I once asked a lumberjack what was the hardest part about cutting down a massive redwood tree. He said, "it's the last swing of the axe". I honestly would have thought that would have been the easiest. He explained that the really big trees are deep in the woods so you have to hike quite a ways to get to them often through some very tough terrain. Once you are there you can begin chopping away at it. Your first few swings will not seem like you are doing much damage. He laughed and told me "rookies quit right here".... They get tired and bored with the process. Seems like a waste of time to them. After so long you finally begin to see that massive tree give way, but you're still far from done. He explained there is still plenty of hacking away to do. He seemed like the kind of guy who likes to talk, so I interjected, "what is it about the last swing that makes it the hardest". He looked and grind as he explained, " by the time you get to that point you've given it every thing you've got. The hike in half killed you, and chopping away at this tree has literally beat every ounce of strength out of you. By the time you get to that final swing you are completely exhausted. You've second guessed yourself a number of times. You're sore, possibly bloody, hungry and you name it. Mustering up what it takes to make that final swing means you have to dig deep into recesses of yourself that you never knew you had. At that point all you have is faith that what's left if enough to get it done". He smiled as he seemed to reflect.... I asked him why the big smile.... "Son, that's also the best part". After you feel like you've exhausted all you had that big ole tree starts to tip over and you can feel the life return to your body as the joy fills your veins and the adrenaline of mission accomplished changes the way you feel about yourself. When that sun light begins to peek through the space that tree once stood in.... It's like God's pat on the back saying way to hang in there slugger. That my friend is the real reward. My final question to him was, well if it's really that great a feeling then why don't we see more lumberjacks? Young man, he says, "most will never attempt the hike into the woods and many of them quit long before they make it to the tree, even fewer make it past the first couple of swings.