FACING YOUR FEARS

October 1, 2004nnnRecently, two friends and I went rock climbing at Nashville Climb, a popular indoor spot. It was an absolute blast! If you haven't already experienced it, I recommend finding your nearest indoor rock climbing place and just doing it! Most places have lessons on rock climbing and belaying (where you serve as an anchor for someone as they climb).nnnLisa and I, especially, had to overcome our fears. Her's, was a fear of heights, but trust me, you couldn't tell! She climbed to the top on all of her attempts! Mine was a combination of fear and exhiliration of the unknown, the unchartered. Without a personal point of reference, I simply did not know what I was capable of. My first try was abysmal. I was disappointed that I didn't make it to the top. But, I persevered and made it to the top on future attempts. You perspire like mad because your body is being asked to do something that you may have never done. You're working your back, leg, and arm muscles all at the same time.nnnWe built stronger friendships out there as well. For example, as Lisa anchored herself for me, I was secure knowing that she was adjusting the rope each time I climbed higher. As Melissa climbed, I held the rope safely below and loosened or tightened it when she needed it. nnnThe feeling you get when you are at the top and just about to lean back to "walk down" is a bit scary at first. You get slightly disoriented and the fear of being that high up is "more than a notion!" But once you surpass your fears it's a "cakewalk." nnnEven Melissa, a more seasoned climber, had a few moments when she had to interrupt her climb and ease back down. Mentally, you experience a lot. You think, "I can do this...I can push myself up to the next rock.....I can trust that I will not fall (which is hard to believe at first)." You also think, “It is impossible for me to make one more step upward.” I tried powering through to get to the top, but that never worked. It's more about making step by step decisions, thinking ahead, and not looking back. In other words, it's about trust: trust in the process, trust in each other, and most importantly, trust in yourself. nnnThere are times, in life, when we think we cannot do a thing simply because we haven’t been nudged or stretched in that direction. When we are asked to expand our abilities, we sometimes debate or refuse the idea because we are trying to picture the new through an old frame. But once we embrace the new idea, way of thinking, or action, we can become mental giants. We surpass even our old perceptions of our capabilities and strengths and we take on new points of reference. nnnThought for today: I will embrace the new challenge that awaits me.n