Mission for Guatemala: Something about FEAR

I learned a lot on this trip, and in some surprising ways. I think we all have something we fear. Let me tell you a couple little stories about my experience with "fear". I am deathly afraid of snakes (and while I'm sure they exist in Guatemala, I'm happy to say one did not cross my path!) I'm also just about equally frightened of heights. I'm not really sure, but I think this is something that I've acquired over time. I don't remember falling or having a particular fear of heights as a child. And I learned from this experience that the more I say and think "I'm afraid of heights", the more I am. About 4 years ago, I was on a vacation in Jamaica with friends. I got a wild hair to jump of the cliff into the ocean at Rick's Cafe (a famous locale!). There are "professional" cliff divers there. And then there are the amateur tourists, like us, who sign a waiver form and jump! Search "Jamaica cliff divers" on Youtube and you'll get the idea! So I fought back the anxiety and flailed my body over the edge of the cliff! "How bad could it be? It would be over in a blink!" Well, lets just say I hit the water in the wrong position, and was badly bruised up and down the backs of both legs! ...for several months!

Again, when we were at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, I did the huge water slide into the shark tank. It was a challenge from one of our Arbonne leaders, to fight past the fear and take the risk! I did it! No bruises this time, but my friends that waited in line with me said later they were worried that I'd pass out before it was my turn. Even as I type this, I feel my heart racing and the anxiety in my body and the inability to breath!

So, when we arrived at the Zip Line Park deep in the mountains of Guatemala, I had already decided that it wouldn't be something that I would do. I had been quoted a price, and I didn't want to spend the money--good justification! I just wanted to relax and watch a couple others who had said since the beginning of the trip that it was something they wanted to do. We walked in and checked out the info and got them signed up. And when we discovered it only cost $28 to traverse the mountainside over about 8 zip lines. Others started signing up! Two zip liners now became 5, including my traveling buddy, Cindy. Suddenly I wasn't sure I wanted to pass. After all it was so cheap, and I could go home saying I zip lined in Guatemala! How cool would that be? And then I felt the anxiety building. My friends, said "Oh come on, do it! It will be fun!" But I made up my mind that this time wasn't for me. So I watched them put on the harnesses and get the training (in Spanish only!!). I watched them practice. I took pictures. And then into the trees they went to hike 25 minutes up to the first line. The rest of us hiked around and saw some cool things. There was a trail of suspension bridges that were really cool, and a butterfly habitat, monkeys, coffee trees.

But then, I began to hear the screams of exhilaration, as the zip liners started. We could only catch glimpses of them way above our heads through the trees. And they sounded like they were having so much fun! We watched them zip down to their landing pad and then traverse a little obstacle course (which they later learned was "optional"!) They were all so invigorated and thrilled by the experience!

By that time I already knew, that I didn't like the feeling of "sitting on the sidelines". I should've been up there with them! My "Arbonne Sisters" were having the thrill of their lives. And I chose to let the fear get the best of me and sit it out. So I realize that choosing not to zip line was the right choice. It was the right choice because it enabled me to experience what it's like when we don't push through the fear and take risks...that feeling of sitting on the sidelines. I'm not a bench warmer! I've always been a go-getter! So now I know what it's like to feel the fear and do it anyway! The cliff jumping hurt...but I didn't die! The shark slide was scary, but the view was amazing! And I can say that I've had these experiences. And I can remember how they feel! And I can also remember how it feels to let fear win, and sit on the sidelines!

I've always enjoyed the saying that you can't have fear and faith at the same time. So, I'll continue to chose FAITH!

"I love the recklessness of faith. First you leap, and then you grow wings." ~William Sloane Coffin

Enjoy the photos!