The Healing Ropes
A few weeks ago I went climbing for the first time — indoor rock climbing that is. It's something I've been drawn to for some years now, just hadn't quite gotten to it yet. You know how that goes, right? SOOO many things to do and try and get to, such little time, as we say...
It was no surprise to me that I took to this super fun activity right away! It has so many elements I love. In particular the aspect of navigating the route (wayfinding in general has always been a passion of mine), as well as the invitation that's available to really tune into your body and breath.
Both of these elements feel really natural to me.
My 2nd climbing day. And I did in fact make it to the top of this one!
And so, while I am obviously a total beginner, I felt a sense of ease and humble confidence that first day, and mostly excitement about entering into this new exploration. I knew there would (will) be challenges ahead as I learn more, though for my first time, I was feeling invigorated and inspired!
Over the course of the next couple weeks, I had the joy of going climbing a total of 4 times. On my third visit to the gym, I started learning the literal ropes. Prior to this I had only been the climber, I had not yet served in the supporting role on the other end of the rope.
Without going into a long, drawn out, detailed story about this (as we all know I can easily do), I will nutshell it and say that the learning the ropes part did not feel natural to me. The technique is simple enough, though when I hit my first blip of struggling with the lowering part, well, it was ease and confidence out the window — or out the top of my head, really.
This moment sucked all groundedness straight up and out of me.
My body physically responded to these nerves feeling shaky, and muscles weak. My emotions got poked and within a moment I suddenly felt very insecure, and scared.
The fear was mostly do with my great concern for safety and the responsibility I had for the person on the other end of that rope. And so it was very tempting to give in to that fear and run away believing, "I can't do this."
How often in your life have you struggled with something on the first try and allowed yourself to give up? Imagine how many times we as humans have walked away from something amazing because we believed the fear...
One thing I'm absolutely sure of is that if we practice something we will get better at it. Whether it's rock climbing, playing an instrument, or learning how to work with our emotions & energy in a healthier way.
Practice, and you will get better at it.
Now, I can't say I'm ever going to be an Olympic-level climber (yes, I heard that climbing is in the Olympics now!) Yet, fortunately on that day I was blessed to have a very patient, supportive teacher encouraging me, and so rather than running away, I chose to stay with it and kept practicing instead.
Coaching my fearless niece!
I also can't say I got a tremendous amount better at this lowering thing that day, or frankly on my 4th visit to the gym either. Yet each time I tried, I can say I learned a little more, and each time I felt slightly more confident about some piece of the process.
It's just like healing, isn't it? There's certainly opportunities to navigate different routes, and oh my are there opportunities for tuning into our bodies & breath! And it's through these experiences, as we practice, the more confident we feel in some piece of the process.
And it sure does help to have patient, supportive, loving teachers along the way too. ;)