Walk Toward Your Dreams!!

Today, I during a brief and ever so scarce break from work, I happened to see a video of a tight rope walker.

I'm not sure how my Facebook found that particular one and even why it caught my attention. I was intrigued, so I continued to watch as the guy stood at the edge of the small platform where he was about to step out into mid air with only a thin cable between him and destiny. Would he make it across? Or would he perish in a fall? Those were probably the only two thoughts going through his mind at that very moment. He looked scared as the camera zoomed in on his face. There were beads of sweat across his forehead forming a small stream that trickled down his right cheek. The man was petrified and it showed. The cameraman kept a tight shot on him as he stood frozen, contemplating whether or not to take that first fateful step. I was riveted as I watched him trying to decide on what to do. I too, knew that if he took the step and lost his footing it would all be over for him. I felt my skin become hot and my face flush as I peered into his eyes through the camera lens. His concentration was firm on the cable. He glanced up once to the other side, almost as if he were measuring how many steps it would take to get him there. He bit his lower lip and moved slightly closer to the edge. The announcer started to speak quietly in the background, explaining this was the man's first time on a high wire. It was his first experience with walking a tight rope and of all things, he was afraid of heights. I finally understood all of his apprehension at taking the first step. I finally felt what he was feeling. I too, am afraid of heights. I thought, 'there's no way I'd be up there'. He stood a few more minutes before a voice called out from behind asking if he'd like to turn around and stop. He shook his head no, as the sweat fell from his chin into the air below.

His body slowly moved in the direction of the cable and he gently placed one foot on it, being careful not to fall before he got started. He moved gingerly, trying to find a comfortable place between his foot and the rope. Once his toes and sole seemed in place, he slowly slid his other foot up from behind him to meet the back of the first one. He did it!!! He was on the rope. He had taken his first step on the journey to the other side. He moved his eyes to the platform straight across from him and seemed to concentrate on it with all he had. I watched as this video went on for another five minutes and the man slowly slid one foot, then the other, all the while keep his focus on his destination: the other platform.

Suddenly, there was a loud boom in the background. It sounded like thunder on the video. The man jumped, taking his eyes from the platform and looked around to see what had happened. When he did, he lost his footing and toppled from the rope which held him. The crowd gasped, and so did I. I closed my eyes, my heart raced and I just knew he was falling to his death in a split second.

BUT, he didn't. He fell onto a net that was twenty feet below him and he was harnessed around the waist by a large saftey belt. He was never going to die! The worst that would happen to him was that he would fall off the cable and land in a soft net. I was relieved when I saw him bounce in the large mesh and get back up to a round of applause. My heart started to beat again and I laughed that I had thought he was doomed. But I was relieved that he would get another opportunity to try and achieve his goal of conquering his fear of heights while also walking a tight rope.

This got me thinking.

Isn't that what we do when we step out into a new venture?

When we go into a new world where we know nothing?

When we take hold of our fears and try and conquer them?

We get the nerve to do it. We talk ourselves into getting up there. We then stand and comtemplate if it's worth it or not. Then after weighing the options and imagining the outcome of success, we decide to take the first step toward our goal. We decide that where we want to go is far better than where we are at the moment. So, we take the step, not knowing if we will fail or succeed. But it doens't matter. It doesn't matter if you fall the first time or twenty times. All that matters is that you got up there and tried, and like the man, you can get back up and try again.

That's more than I can say for some. I know that it would be hard for me to do what he did, in climbing twenty feet above the ground and walking on a thin cable because of my fear of heights. But he at least took the first step. His only mistake was allowing the noise from around him to distract him from his destination, that being the other platform. But man, can you imagine how he's gonna rock that rope when he gets back up there? He now knows how it feels, what it takes and to not allow anything to distract him.

Is this where you are in life?

Have you been on your "tight rope" walking toward your goal? Has your destination been in sight but something happened that caused you to lose your footing?

My friend, get back up there!! Right now!! It's not too late. You might have fallen because of outside noises that distracted you, but you can do this!! You've got this!! You can get to the other side and look back and know that you've done it! You can reach your destination and have the satisfaction of knowing you didn't allow anyone or anything to stop you!!

I believe in you. Just believe in yourself. You HAVE what it takes to succeed in life. Find your tight rope and walk that thing like you own it!! Stop at nothing until you get to the other side. Know you can do it!! Don't take your eyes off of your destination and you'll make it, I know you will.

Remember to work hard and Dream Big!!

Much love,

Christy