Thursday, March 6, 2014

fear

 At the beginning of the year, I posted a bucket list for us all to work on together--it guarantees a happier healthier 2014.
(check it out HERE! It's not too late to start)
HOW TO BE HAPPY // www.inthelittleredhouse.blogspot.com
Have you been working on your list? How's it going so far?? 

Last month when we ran away to the desert I checked one of the challenges off my list:
Do something that scares you.
www.inthelittleredhouse.blogspot.com
 Now I am not a climber--I don't pretend to be at all.
But the small handful of times I've tied myself in and scurried up a wall.....there has just been something about it. Something good. Something that always pulls me back and makes me want to try it again. 
be better.

It also flat out, 100% terrifies me. 
I feel so uneasy and awkward and unsure when my body is dangling off the ground. 
I ask 97 times "do you have me", and do my fair share of squealing.

ali making her way up
www.inthelittleredhouse.blogspot.com
my baby showing me how it's done!
www.inthelittleredhouse.blogspot.com
On my way up, I got to a point where I decided was far enough....even though I wasn't to the top yet. 
I was tired, shaky, and had lost my confidence in my ability to make it all the way.
And then I looked down 
(why did I do that??!)
needed to come down. 
NOW.
"I'm done!"
I let my fears overtake me, and was totally fine with failure this time.

"You're not coming down! You're going to the top!"
Ali yelled at me. 
Robby held the rope tight--the only way I was going was UP.
jerks.

[...but actually, it turns out....I have the best friends and husband ever...]

After throwing around thoughts of divorce, and being frustrated because 
"I WANT DOWN NOW!", 
I forgot my fears--just for a few seconds--and somehow managed to move. 
up.
up.
up. 
Until I stretched out and touched the top.

!!!

I was overwhelmed with happiness, relieved, extra squealy, and almost in tears. 
I did it.
And now I know I have to do it again.
and again.

If it seems a little bit scary, then it's probably worth doing.
www.inthelittleredhouse.blogspot.com
“Fear doesn't shut you down; it wakes you up” ― Veronica Roth

Happy Weekend!
go do something that scares you!


4 comments:

Unknown said...

My husband and I have been going to a rock gym for a few months, and the first few times I would ask to come down as soon as I got uncomfortable with the height. The night before our third trip to the gym, I decided that I would try to be a little more brave. I let my strength and skill, not my fear, be the limiting factor, and I made it to the top of a 50-foot wall (something I would previously not have attempted due to fear). And it was kind of life changing! There is so much in life that we do not control, but I made a conscious decision to change how I felt that day. I am now (happily) a little bit addicted to getting outside my comfort zone!

Carly said...

Congrats on conquering a fear! I know how hard it is, but I also know how rewarding it is! You're so proud of yourself, and suddenly you feel like you can do anything. I recently started learning how to drive, and it's the scariest thing I've ever done, and though I don't think learning will ever lead me to conquering the fear, I have it under control now instead of it controlling me, and that's something to celebrate. :)

Unknown said...

yes, you are fortunate to have such good friends (and husband) who challenge, encourage, and support you. those are the kinds of people we should surround ourselves with because they make us better. i'm proud of you for forging onward to the top - takes real courage - and just proves how we are often much more capable than we think! happy weekend!

www.currenttempo.com

Caitlin said...

This is so awesome! It's such an exhilarating feeling to overcome your fears and reach a goal you set for yourself :) I recently did the polar plunge and faced my fear of that.

Awesome job!