True story. When I was a small child, I climbed my first tree with a bunch of other kids. I climbed so high and just kept going higher and higher. It was the best time ever – until it was time to come down…
I froze with fear.
I became so afraid that all I could do was stay right where I was, gripping the branch of the tree with my life. My friends’ attempts to unpry my hands only made me squeeze tighter. So they climbed down and came back with an adult, some rope, and a plan…
From the ground below, they explained that they’ll throw the rope over a higher branch, then I can tie it around me, so if I fall they can catch me. I agreed. I wanted to get down but just couldn’t on my own. But having the safety of being able to be caught if I fell was all I needed to transcend that fear.
They threw me the rope and I quickly tied it around myself and started jumping down from branch to branch. They were trying to say something to me, but I was unstoppable in my element now, fearless and free to move as I wish. I could do anything…
When I made it to the bottom, I learned that because they missed the branch with the rope, they wouldn’t have been able to catch me. I could have fallen.
But that didn’t change anything.
For in my mind, I had become unstoppable. The fear at first was very real. It was survival instinct. Anything from that moment on however was in my mind only. That’s what held me where I was. But when I felt safe, I could jump like a flying squirrel!
I could do anything I wanted when the fear was not in my mind.
And I had the ability to willfully turn fear into courage. Just like flipping on a light switch. Most important was my willingness to accept help and to trust.
That’s why now I’m inspired to remember. To remember that it’s ok to fear. It’s ok to ask for help. It’s safe to trust. And even when conditions aren’t perfect, the only thing that can stop me from being unstoppable is in my mind. It’s not real.
Now imagine what we can accomplish when we help each other feel safe…
=D
