"This is only for you."
"Always use one hand."
"It's more like a walk in the park instead of a sprint to the finish."
"Enjoy the journey."
"Always double check your work."
Moving from side to side, one hand hanging on for dear life, as I progress I feel the panic rise to my head. It started in my belly but I was able to control it. When it moved to my heart, I tried to ignore it. When my body started to shake, my palms all sweaty, I pushed through it. By the time it reached my head, I couldn't control it.
"What do you need to do?" He asked
"Keep going," I said, "but I can't. I'm paralyzed in fear."
"Stop thinking about the fear, where is in coming from? It's coming from the fear of the unknown, so eliminate the unknown. Now, what do you need to do?"
"I need to find a place for my foot."
"Good. Now do it."
The most breathtaking aspect is that you have a completely blank canvas. Even though thousands of other people have been here before, you would never know. To say the wall is your oyster wouldn't be far fetched. The gear is your paint brush and the top is your pearl.
Its you and the wall, not you against the wall.
"I made it, but for that moment, I thought I wasn't going to. The fear of the unknown really fucks with you, you know?"
No, I don't. It's been such a long time since I've pushed my comfort zones. I don't remember what that feels like anymore. I'm jealous."
That is why we do it. To never feel complacent. To never allow ourselves that stale life that others live.
We're adventurers, lovers of being the designer of own future.
Whether you are safe on top rope, sprint with sport, or walk with trad, you're the one who gets to say, "today, I will find that space of discomfort and lean into it."
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