This past Presidents’ Day Weekend, Chris and I took our first real vacation together in Sedona, Arizona. I decided early on that I was ready to continue my journey of personal growth by facing my fear of heights, so the first day we got there, we signed up for zip lining. I’d always wanted to try it, but I continually made fear-based decisions not to.
Year 33 will be different, I told myself. This is the year of facing my mental and physical fears. This is the year I stop placing limits on myself!
We found a zip lining place that was also a sanctuary for wild animals. Being strapped into the harness was somewhat comforting. Somewhat. Looking down, I realized that if the fall didn’t kill me, the lion sure would. I wanted to back out. I wanted to go down the steps the same way I came up. In fact, a lady on our tour did just that: She was absolutely terrified and couldn’t bring herself to go through with it. I didn’t blame her. My whole being wanted to follow her, but I had made a promise to myself that I would not let fear hold me back from the things I wanted to do and the life I wanted to live. And I wanted to fly. I wanted to experience the exhilaration of soaring above those animals. I wasn’t going to back down.
The guide asked me to step onto the edge of the platform and counted off on his walkie-talkie to the person waiting for me on the other side. Then he said, “Whenever you’re ready.”
The moment you’re about to do something new, scary, and difficult is the deciding moment. Panic sets in, your body goes numb, your mind retreats to a dark place, your breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and your heart beats so fast you’re afraid you’ll pass out. In this moment, you decide if you’re going to take the first step into something exhilarating, beautiful, and life-changing, or freeze and stay right where you are.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
My stomach dropped. I froze.
I stepped off the ledge.
I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out. I was flying! I flew over lions, rhinos, and zebras. I flew right past the head of a giraffe. It was the scariest, most exhilarating experience of my life. And I can’t wait to do it again.
Every day, we have the power to make choices that can change our lives, empower us to grow, and allow us to experience life to the fullest. Making the decision to acknowledge your fears and move them out of the way allows you to take another step toward becoming the person you were created to be: a person without limits. A person who flies.
Margaret McCormick is a core energy coach in the Austin area. She partners with survivors of unexpected life events to help them regain control over their minds, bodies, and spirits.