What Scares You?
We all have fears. Our fears vary, but we all have a fear of something.
So…
For you, what is the fear of which the simple thought makes you think you're going to crap in your pants?
For me, it is heights and those heights leading to me falling.
The fear is immense!
For example, a few years ago I went on a trip with friends to Mexico. While there, we toured The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen-Itza.
Part of that tour included climbing the pyramid. I got up the pyramid without a problem. The issue is what happened after we got to the top.
While my friends stood on the edge to take photos, I stood back with my back pressed against the stone of the pyramid.
That was not the worst of it.
I was so afraid of going back down, one friend stood behind me while another friend stood in front of me to guide me back down.
Volunteer to Do What Scares You
Fast forward a few years to current day. (Current day is July 2017)
While vacationing in Puerto Rico, we wanted to do something different than what we had done during our previous trips there.
I got the bright idea to go zip lining.
Me, the woman so terrified of heights and falling that her friends had to guide me down a pyramid, volunteered to spend part of an afternoon zip lining.
Here's how we started:
After getting a brief lesson on the proper way to zip line, we headed off on our zip lining adventure.
The first part of the adventure was crossing a bridge where the planks were several inches apart. Sweat streamed down my face. The sweat was more than from the heat. That was fear of falling pouring off of me.
Even so, we pressed on through the forest.
At our first zip line spot I could feel my heart trying to jump out of my chest. My heart was pounding so quickly I was losing my breath.
However, I kept reminding myself that I volunteered for the adventure for the sole purpose of doing more of what scared me.
Leap, but Don't Do Too Much
We braced a few more questionably designed bridges and learned a bit about the natural habitat in Puerto Rico.
At the third to last zip line area, our guide told us we could get a running start, but warned us not to jump. If we jumped we risked hitting our heads.
His instructions did not end there, however. He also told us to run sideways. Yes, that is what he said. He said run sideways. The purpose of running in such a manner was so we did not scrape our shoulders against the cable.
Ok. Let's summarize this.
Run, but run sideways, hold onto the appropriate equipment, but not tightly, and don't jump. That was a lot to remember to do all at once.
I was scared out of my mind, but I wanted to do it. I wanted to do more of what scared me.
For several seconds, which felt like minutes, I stood facing the guide willing myself to run (sideways).
I was stuck in fear.
Those waiting their turn encouraged me. I was scared, but I was encouraged! Loud enough for only the guide to hear, I said, “I am going to do this. I have to do this.”
I started running…
then just before I was to leap, not jump, I scurried back to the landing.
With so much to remember to do, it was scarier than I thought.
Eventually, I succumbed to my fears. Rather than get a running start, the guide had to push me off the edge.
I didn't get a running start, but I realized something that day. Going out there that day was a leap for me. There was no need for me to do too much.
With each try I will get to the point of taking a running start without a problem.
At the beginning of this video was my attempt at the run.
Do More of What Makes You Scared
At the end of the day I had done something that had scared me.
Why did I subject myself to that?
It's simple. When we do more of what scares us, we grow, become mentally stronger, and are more willing to more of what scares us.
More importantly, that afternoon proved to me, once again, that we will always have fears. What matters is what we do in spite of them.
So, whatever it is that is scaring you, volunteer to do more of it. That is your first leap.
What is it that scares you that you are going to start doing? Share in the post comments.