I am not a great lover of heights. I don't mind them but I don't go out of my way to find them. Just like snakes. So when Zach's cousin said she wanted to take us rock climbing I was a little skeptical. And by skeptical I mean nauseous. (For more on our visit to Los Alamos check out here!)
I am a great believer in facing you fears. I don't like for fear to have control over me. Period. I don't like for it to dictate what I do or don't do. Honestly, I was a feeling a little ashamed at how nervous I was about doing this. I've been sky diving! I've jumped off bridges! Why would climbing a rock freak me out? When I got down deep to it is was because after having a baby I feel like I have lost part of my athletic self--my daredevil self. I was worried I physically would embarrass myself. I was worried that I was being a bad mother by taking a risk. Worry is just fear whispering to you.
Lucky for me Zach's cousin Christie is a badass. She's a mother of five, survivor, and rock climbing instructor. If she could do it, I had to at least try it. And I am so glad I did.
The truth is that by the end of the day Zach and I both had fallen a little in love with rock climbing. For him, I believe it was figuring out the puzzle of where to go next, keeping your mind focused, and being outside. For me it was facing that fear each moment, being in such beauty, and trusting yourself to make it happen.
In my experience it always pays off to face your fears. Whether that is fear of change, fear of loss, fear of heights, snakes, spiders, infestations, whales, or the fear of being alone. We all have one that makes a nest inside our heart and minds. Take that fear out, set it on fire, and go live.