Sometimes it's a good thing to make stories happen on purpose. In early 1985 I determined to do something I was seriously afraid to do and live to tell about it. That year I took up downhill skiing. I tried this sport four times, and not only lived to tell about it, but enjoyed the experience in spite of a couple of torn shoulders and skiing in a matching pair of two right boots (way better than two left ones!). Perhaps I would have continued if we hadn't moved to Pittsburgh where I have never met another skier. That moment passed.
Tomorrow I am heading off on another such adventure. My son and grandson are determined to visit Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, the roller coaster capital of the world. "With a lineup that includes three of the top 10 steel roller coasters in the world, Cedar Point is a coaster lover's dream come true." Is this more scary than downhill skiing? Definitely! I am terrified of huge coasters, and this park has three of the top ten. This same son was involved in all but the first of the ski adventures.
I have not yet determined what it will take to reach my goal of living to tell about another fear conquered. One coaster? Three? Six? A loop-the-loop? Stay tuned! I'm pumped, and one way or another, this story is going to happen!
If you haven't heard anything by mid-August, you can safely assume I did not live to tell about it. Right now I feel like one of those people on the Extreme TV shows, pulling on my gloves and ready for the cameras to roll...
Write now: About doing something you were deathly afraid of. How was it? How did you feel when it was over? Did you ever do it again? Why or why not?
4 comments :
Sharon, your great time has already started. My wife never rode the coasters with the children and myself until she was in her forties. She had more fun than she figured. We were so very proud of her. She made our day.
Go ahead; put your hands up.
Scaredy-cat me went on the racing waterslides with my teen on vacation last year. I don't know who won, but I was thrilled at my amazing bravery (and survival)! Challenges make us learn and grow, not to mention speed up our hearts and clear out the arteries. The feeling of choosing to confront fear and conquering it is exhilarating.
This reminds me of the time I took up gliding to get over the fear of commercial airline flights. It worked. But I can't say I'm ready to get up on the world's most terrifying roller coasters. I'm watching in awe.
Herm, Linda and Larry,
Your encouragement must have worked from afar, but the outcome was a surprise. Read the next post!
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