I’m climbing.
It’s a huge crag, one that takes learned skill – training, practice and experience – before climbing. This is the crux point, the toughest place on the climb where I have to muster up every ounce of strength to trust my training and ability in order to keep going. Soon it will get easier.
I could let go.
Safety precautions have been taken and the rope will hold me. The belayer has my back.
If I let go, I will survive.
If I let go, it is between me and my belayer.
If I let go, I will have a choice to make.
Start over and try again.
Take a break and come back later.
Or… Give up and never go back.
Have you ever felt this way?
I’m not a rock climber, but for the past few years I have been on the climbing adventure of my life. Gradually I have stepped into situations that are more and more difficult, sometimes letting go, sometimes taking a break for awhile and sometimes WANTING to give up…
But never actually giving up.
Again I ask, have you ever felt this way?
When you are at the crux point and you want to give up… When you are tired… When you feel helpless, hopeless and incapable…
THAT is the time to think back and remember where you started.
Are you further along than you were a year ago? Do you know more now?
Every climber must start with the basics. You learn about harnesses and rope and carabiners. You learn that it takes muscle strength and proper body positioning in order to reach the next hand or foot hold. You learn the basic lingo and get brave enough to use those words even if you’re worried you might get them wrong.
Eventually, through practice, those words become a normal part of your climbing vocabulary. Recognizing holds as well as using your body and your stronger muscles to reach them becomes second nature. Putting on a harness and figuring out how to use carabiners is no longer a puzzle.
By pushing through difficult situations you have learned so much and have come so far!
And yet, you are in a difficult spot.
When you are facing difficulty, be encouraged by the knowledge that when you push through, YOU GROW.
Then next year you will look back gratefully because you will be able to see just how far you’ve come.