Soar
July 30, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Sue 
I have a fear of heights…and snakes.
I won’t go into the snake thing, and I’m not really sure why I have the fear of heights. I really haven’t had any bad experiences so to speak, but for some reason that phobia is most certainly present.
A couple of years ago (remember, I turn 65 on my next birthday) I went on one of those ‘leadership - team building’ retreats at a Boy Scout camp with a group of considerably younger community leaders. We did all of the typical introductory activities – icebreaker activities, trust fall, walking a ‘mine field,’ etc – which lead up to more physically challenging activities such as zip line, wall climbing, rappelling, etc.
My age, weight, and fear of heights played a huge role in my anxiety level with many of the more physically challenging activities.
With team support, I managed the zip line. The hardest part for me was climbing the tree to get up to the zip line…and the members of my team helped me get up to the take-off position. Riding the zip line was fun, kind of like riding a bicycle down a big hill; getting up to the take-off position was not!
Form a mental picture of army basic training and climbing a wooden wall about 8 -10 feet high. And now, picture ‘Granny Sue’ trying to climb up and get to the top of the wall! As a team, it was figured out how to help each in our group reach the seemingly unreachable goal of getting to the top of the wall. A few brave (tall and strong) individuals went up first; boosted from the ground by other group members. About mid-way in the group, I was boosted up by some from the ground and ‘pulled up’ by others of the group that were already at the top of the wall. The few guys at the end took a running head start to ‘run up the wall’ and those at the top reached out to grab their hands and pull them up as they had the upward momentum. Whew! A BIG cheer went up when we ALL had conquered the wall and got to the other side.
When it came time to try rappelling, I really became nervous. I had to climb up the 30 to 40 feet ‘ladder’ – for me, scary enough by itself - to reach the top of the rappelling wall. Then I had to TRUST my rope and gear to hold me as I rappelled down the wall. I kept hearing my son’s voice in my head saying, “Oh mom, you can rappel. It’s easy.”
Hearing his encouraging voice inside my head helped give me confidence. Once it was my turn to begin the descent, I felt like I was a whole different person as I quickly developed the rhythm of releasing a section of rope and bouncing down the wall, step by step. My confidence was soaring. It was so uplifting and comforting to have my son’s encouraging words playing in my mind as I challenged myself to face that phobia.
Is it possible that without realizing it, comments left on Vision and Verb posts provide a similar means of support and encouragement for our global community? Is it possible the ‘atta girls,’ the celebrations of successes, the group support, the ‘outstretched hands’ lifting us to meet new challenges, the virtual hugs, and all of the suggestions and conversations help each of us – collaborators and visitors alike - reach goals, face challenges, and…perhaps even soar to new heights? I’d like to think so.
Have a GREAT day!
Sue
confidence, phobia, support, team building
Reader Comments (14)
Y-E-S-S-S!!! I love the metaphor and analogy here. I truly believe that it's thru mutual support of one another - that by reading and listening to one another's words - we are better able to meet and greet life's challenges and grow.
Beautifully said Sue. Thank-you!
You nailed it, Sue, and win the Gold! Actually, it's not like we're in competition with each other as much as with ourselves and holding each other's hands, cheering each other on in this race called LIFE. Sometimes we're on center stage. Other times we're in the grandstands hooting and hollering. That's what our camaraderie is all about. Being there for each other. I love it. Thanks for sharing it like this!
Oh, I love this post. You have summed up one of the most important reasons that brings me back here time and again. The photos are good, the stories shared are fantastic, but that overall bit of encouragement coming from each person who writes here is what gets me.
Those words you heard inside your head that helped you reach your goal are (to me) the big part of this. We choose what we listen to internally. And You made the best choice. That is the lesson that will stick with me throughout this day.
Without a doubt, Sue! I love all the support and atta girls that go on here and I totally agree with your height and snake thing ~ both make me shudder!
my sister and i used "soar" as a code for everything that you described in your post. the v&v support and the sisterly one. there is an image in my book about aunt ruth, stacked white gloves, and a quote that talks about just what you described so beautifully, sue. you have a magnificent way of writing that allows us all to float above ourselves.
thanks.
So well said Sue! Every day when I click on our V&V entry it seems like International Women's day to me as we highlight the tenacity, courage, and creativity of women around the globe! How fortunate we are to be a part of it!
Snakes!!! Don't even talk to me about snakes, we have them here in our garden :( - nasty spitting cobras and there's a big python somewhere out there in the coffee :( But we wont dwell on that :) - Well done you for conquering the fear of heights, I haven't yet quite done that....earlier this last week, I had to climb up a very narrow ladder onto the top deck of a big old Jahazi dhow (old wooden sailboat) - and this with all my camera gear in hand; I was definitely not in my comfort zone!!!
Wow, amazing that you did all those things! Respect! Love the link you make to v & v. And snakes: Well, that's one of the few advantages of living in our dutch climate, no dangerous snakes over here.
Wow Sue - kudos!!! I had a knot in my stomach when I read about your climbing, and I also know the overwhelming feeling when you made it. I'm postponing zip-lining - we have a place nearby and promised out daughter to take her there one day - she can't wait. I can - easily. What I really like in your poat is the emphasis on the team support - so important, and I do see the comparison to Vision and Verb!
Oh my gosh you are one brave woman! Yes, it's great to soar... the freedom of it - immeasureable joy. I hope to never love the feeling.
Good for you Sue! I do find that doing things I believe are beyond my reach is so energizing and confidence building. It's a big help to carry encouraging words inside your head as you journey forth.
Bravo for you for facing your fears and conquering them, all with the support of your team and the voice of your son in your head.
Sounds very much like the sharing and collaboration and support that is passed amongst us here in this group. Wonderful indeed!
That was very brave of you. I have a fear of heights too and I am not sure I could have done all that.
Yes, I'm sure that it is more than possible! Sometimes we just need that extra boost of confidence from outside of ourselves.
And wow! Good for you for overcoming those fears and having the courage to confront your phobias, it sounds like you did an amazing job!