I must share what I did yesterday which was so beyond thrilling and sprinkled with a bit of fear, ziplining, a thrilling new adventure. I have had a long-standing fear of heights. Last week I was speaking to a close friend who has been diagnosed with a curable but long-term medical issue. Last week I was speaking to a close friend who has been diagnosed with a curable but long-term medical issue. She is an active person and has a positive outlook on life. So, we were talking, and we wanted to do something fun. Not to focus on sickness but focusing on fun and excitement in our lives. That is how the idea of ziplining came up. Within our conversation she had bought 3 tickets for her husband, herself, and me for this upcoming Saturday, in 3 days!
We both live in different locations, and it would be an hour drive for each into the Adirondack Mountains. The place was in Lake Placid, NY. The few days before going I could not believe that I agreed to go, what was I thinking. Using the step ladder to grab the flour from the higher kitchen cabinet is indeed considered a high-risk height sport for me. What was I thinking? I had just listened to a podcast where they emphasized that saying yes more to doing things correlated to an increase in happiness. Really! I am sure they were not including flying through the treetops on a cable!
Ziplining – A Thrilling New Adventure
Well, Saturday came, the day was picture perfect. Clear, sunny and beautiful surrounded by the Adirondack mountains. We had to sign a waiver which makes sense but certainly did not quell my anxieties. Next step was to have our required harnesses put on. Not to date myself but I felt like I was in one of the 70’s macramé plant holders, bands going here and there tugging here and there with a big metal clip and a metal box to hold onto wearing our helmet and gloves.
We arrived at the trial area after a “short” climb up a rocky root-filled incline. We were 9 in total, 3 groups of three. After our excellent tutorial we were ready for our first zip. We were led to a platform 40 feet above the ground. While waiting our turn we were all hooked up to a cable attached to the tree facing the cable. On the platform the thoughts I had were not reflected at all by my demeanor. I tried to exude a calm and confident exterior. My thoughts were doing their own frantic ziplining in my brain. What was I thinking! Zip lining has never been on any of my bucket lists ever!
Ziplining Day Has Arrived
Well, I must tell you that the experience was undoubtedly the most exhilarating and worthwhile experience ever! We “zipped” 6 times. Each time I obviously became a little more at ease with the process. Taking the jump off the platform was definitely an act of trust. Believe in yourself, YES I can do this! The cables are safe and all the safety measures are in place. It was truly an experience of being able to trust and face that fear. My biggest takeaway from this experience is that I was able to do something that I have never been able to do. I am still not comfortable with heights, but I was able to overcome it during this activity.
Overcoming this for me was removing an obstacle. Beginning my new phase as being retired will be looking at new possibilities not to let fear and/or obstacles dictate. If you have thought of joining a gym, calling that friend for lunch, joining a dog walking class, birdwatching club, woodworking class anything you desire. Try it! Maybe it’s ziplinig, a thrilling new adventure. What is on your bucket list? As the phrase states, ”Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.”
Never let your fear decide your fate.
Thanks for being here,
-Soraya
Want to read more about my story? Here it is, retirement!