Fear

Nobody likes to admit fear. It feels weak, and sometimes just downright silly. I have a friend who's a bit fearful of rollercoasters (okay, it's me). Once during college, I got on a rollercoaster at King's Island and didn't think I was gonna make it. You know that first part of the ride that takes unsuspecting passengers up a slow, creeping ascent into the clouds right before it plunges back down toward earth? I was panicking on the inside during that part. I wanted to get out. But that seemed even more dangerous. So I stayed in. And I made it through. I think I rode on more rollercoasters that day, having worked through that silly fear. It's amazing how strong fear is.

I swam in the New River Gorge today. I was very afraid, very apprehensive. (I'll have you know, it is the same river that people go white water rafting down...and they have to wear helmets!) I think it was the unknown that I was most afraid of. Can I make it? Will I get really tired? Am I going to accidently swim into rocks? How cold is 60 degrees really? And I tried not to listen to those questions. They would only be answered by doing it. By swimming.

A friend came with me to swim, and I think that was what helped me the most. As we stood chest deep in the water, he said, "Ready?" In my head, I thought "never." But my mouth said "okay." I listened to my mouth and arrived on shore 30 minutes and 1.5 miles of water later. No longer afraid. No more unknowns. Yeah for having a friend along to battle your fears!