"I had a real epiphany at my second Campowerment retreat on the ropes course.? And it was a very different one than most of the other campers that make breakthroughs out there. As a generalization, what I would hear the women talking about and the different testimonials were about how scared women were to "let go" and jump, and that once they did, it was a metaphor for life and whatever was holding them back, a bad relationship, a health issue, a job, etc they felt inclined to conquer those issues because they conquered their fear high up in the sky.? Even if they didn't quite make it to the trapeze bar.they went for it.?
Well, here is my story:
I am relatively athletic and not super scared of heights. I climbed up the 30-ft pole pretty easily, looked at the trapeze bar, jumped and caught it, came back down, received praise from everyone around me (very few people were able to do this feat), all in a matter of minutes. When the women there to support us stopped hugging me (Grandy was one of them, lucky me), the facilitator of the ropes course told me that I "totally missed it."??
He said I was so hell-bent on catching the trapeze and completing the task, that I didn't even take a small moment to look out at the Pacific Ocean, the view, and enjoy the moment, the accomplishment.? He was so right. And that was the metaphor for my life.? I have been so focused on getting a job done, being the best, being praised for my efficiency, my accomplishments, in life, at a job, in athletics, that oftentimes I cannot be present and enjoy the ride, the journey. I was (because I have since been much more mindful of this downfall) so focused on the end goal, I missed all the joy of getting there.??
Soon after returning home, I began a new job that I loved.? My husband would offer different ways for me to be better, more recognized, the best, etc. I was finally able to just tell him I am for the first time of my life not trying to be the best, I am enjoying exactly where I am and if I go far, great, if not, I am presently happy.? This has been one of the most important lessons I have learned in my adult life."
