Hills Ahead
A great poem to encourage you by Douglas Malloch when you feel the issues you are facing are not achievable. The hill you face may seem all uphill but let the words of this poem be ones that give you encouragement.
"The hill may look steep from where you stand, but the moment you take the first step, strength rises within you and the climb begins."
Updated February 14, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
When we are at the bottom of a hill and looking up it can feel overwhelming, however once we take that first step and start moving it is not as steep as it first looked. That is the way it is for many things in life - when we set a goal we sometimes focus on the end rather than on the action steps to moves us toward that goal.
As the Poet expresses the same is true for troubles and challenges we face. If we sit and complain, and feel sorry for ourselves our troubles can feel overwhelming, but if we focus our energy on finding a solution we find our troubles do not seem as great.
The worst thing we can do is give up or quit. Don't quit; take one step at a time and the hill will not seem as steep or high!
The Poem - The Hills Ahead
The hills ahead look hard and steep and high
And often we behold them with a sigh;
But as we near them level grows the road,
We find on every slope, with every load,
The climb is not so steep, the top so far,
The hills ahead look harder than they are.
And so it is with troubles, though they see so great
That men complain and fear and hesitate,
Less difficult the journey than we dreamed,
It never proves as hard as once it seemed;
There never comes a hill, a task, a day,
But as we near it, easier the way.
Quotes from the poem, The Hills Ahead:
Life truly does bring hills before us. Some we see coming from a distance, and others seem to rise the very moment we open our eyes each morning. Many challenges grow out of our work, the responsibilities placed upon us, or expectations that feel heavy. Others come through relationships at home or in the workplace, where misunderstandings or tensions can quietly drain our strength. There are also personal struggles that no one else may see, yet they weigh on the heart just the same. At times we may even feel tempted to walk away from what feels like an unhealthy or discouraging situation. But challenges have a way of returning in different forms if we do not learn from them. Often the answer is not escape, but adjustment. It may mean changing how we respond. It may mean learning new skills in communication or patience. More often than not, there is a solution waiting to be discovered. When we shift our thinking from dwelling on the problem to seeking an answer, what once felt overwhelming can slowly become an opportunity for growth instead of a burden of defeat.
As these verses remind us, things rarely prove as difficult as our fears first suggest. That does not mean every problem disappears on its own. It means that as we move toward it, our courage grows, our understanding deepens, and our strength increases. One practical way to climb any hill is through thoughtful goal setting. When we break a large challenge into smaller, manageable steps, it no longer feels impossible. A clear plan with realistic timelines gives direction to our efforts. Each small step completed builds confidence for the next. Whether the goal is improving relationships, strengthening personal skills, or reaching a dream long held in the heart, steady perseverance makes the climb achievable. With dedication, patience, and consistent effort, obstacles lose their power. We discover that the mountain can indeed be climbed one step at a time.
Popular Pages
If the message of The Hills Ahead encouraged you, these popular pages offer more poems and quotes to strengthen your resolve, remind you not to quit, and help you keep climbing whatever hill stands before you.
Conclusion
The hills ahead in life will always look higher when we are standing still and staring at them. Fear can make them seem steep and impossible. But once we begin to climb, once we take even one small step, we often discover they are not as overwhelming as we first believed.
Douglas Malloch reminds us that many of our worries grow larger in our imagination than they ever do in reality. The key is not to avoid the hill, but to move toward it with courage and steady effort. When we focus on what we can do today, instead of fearing tomorrow, the road becomes easier.
Whatever hill you are facing right now, do not let it stop you. Take one step. Then another. In time you will look back and realize the climb made you stronger than you ever knew.
More Douglas Malloch Poems to Inspire
"Many of the hills we fear are only steep from a distance; courage begins the climb and faith carries us to the top."