This past Friday I went rock climbing for the first time since the free wall at Galyan's in high school. I remember how badly my legs would shake and my fingers would tremble and asked myself, "Why in the world would I spend money to be afraid?" Well this past Friday I did just that after an invitation from a colleague and figuring why not. I went with a few colleagues and some new people, all very encouraging of my first ascent and my terrible trepidation of rappelling to the point of literally climbing back down the wall.
But, by the end of the night, I had overcome the fear and was rappelling with no hesitation. And yes, the adrenaline actually did feel good! One of my colleagues continued to try climbing a 5.10 and kept falling. He then talked about how his colleague was quitting his job and they were going to go for it and start their business. "That's why I tried on the rock climbing wall. I didn't know if I'd make it, til I fell. And the same is true here [with the business]."
And he's 100% right. WIth this mentality and knowing the rope was going to catch me regardless, I let go with both hands and let myself fall to the ground and even landed with a smile on my face. And that is also what I'm doing here in Minnesota. Until I fall, which hasn't even come close to happening yet, I can't leave. Each day is one new rock hold. Some incredibly large, sturdy, and a great grip, others a great connecting rock, and all pushing me upwards towards the top. And I'm starting to gain "spotters" helping me with which rocks I should connect to next and able to see from perspectives from which I cannot, able to see the whole wall and all the possibilities, whereas I, on one rock can only see the immediate rocks by me and perhaps feel for some and get lucky landing them.
So if you have something where you're afraid to fall, get over the fear and JUST DO IT! You won't know until you do!
But, by the end of the night, I had overcome the fear and was rappelling with no hesitation. And yes, the adrenaline actually did feel good! One of my colleagues continued to try climbing a 5.10 and kept falling. He then talked about how his colleague was quitting his job and they were going to go for it and start their business. "That's why I tried on the rock climbing wall. I didn't know if I'd make it, til I fell. And the same is true here [with the business]."
And he's 100% right. WIth this mentality and knowing the rope was going to catch me regardless, I let go with both hands and let myself fall to the ground and even landed with a smile on my face. And that is also what I'm doing here in Minnesota. Until I fall, which hasn't even come close to happening yet, I can't leave. Each day is one new rock hold. Some incredibly large, sturdy, and a great grip, others a great connecting rock, and all pushing me upwards towards the top. And I'm starting to gain "spotters" helping me with which rocks I should connect to next and able to see from perspectives from which I cannot, able to see the whole wall and all the possibilities, whereas I, on one rock can only see the immediate rocks by me and perhaps feel for some and get lucky landing them.
So if you have something where you're afraid to fall, get over the fear and JUST DO IT! You won't know until you do!
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