The Pay Off for Facing Your Fears
Coming back to Mexico where we used to live and surf almost everyday has been such a trip. We have been re-visiting many places and activities from our past and I have come back to them with new perspective. We had been away for three years.
Three years since I jumped on a surf board. I was dying to get back on a wave.
I knew it was going to be a challenge to get back out there. My surf muscles were out of condition. I was going to have to re-learn how to listen to the rhythm of the sea. I was going to have to face my fear of getting past the break when the waves crash hard.
There was a piece of me that was totally terrified of getting into the strong waves of the Southern Pacific Ocean. It was low tide and we were at a surf point that has lots of rocks and sea urchins. The waves were not huge, but still packing a punch as they crashed on the rocks and there was no getting to the waves without going through that part of the journey.
I gathered my nerve, asked my hubby if I could borrow his hat, and set out.
I thought I had timed my entry pretty well, but not long after jumping on my board I realized there was a huge set of waves coming in. I decided to stay committed to getting out there. I knew these waves would not last forever, and I just had to keep moving forward.
Unfortunately, I got caught right in the break and was flipped over. Just a few minutes in and I had already lost the hat!
Normally, I would try to recover it, but the waves were looking huge and coming in fast and I thought it was smarter to prepare myself for the next one crashing in on me. I saw the hat get washed to shore and turned around to keep my focus on getting out there.
Boom!
Another one barrelled in on me throwing me under and pulling my board a bit closer to shore. Upon coming to the surface I grabbed the board and tried my hardest to recover my momentum forward to get past the break.
BOOM! Another wave crashed on me pulling me back again. UGH!
I was starting to get tired and loose strength and there were still waves coming at me. I decided to try to stay put and throw the board over the wave and dive under it avoiding getting pulled back even farther.
It worked! Finally, I was making headway and I could see there was a pause in the set. I jumped back on my board and started to paddle out again.
Phew, I had made it. I lost the hat, but I didn’t turn back.
I was tempted. There were voices in my head that said "the waves are too big".
"You are not ready for this."
"You aren’t strong enough to get out there."
"This is dangerous; turn back."
But there was another part of me that knew I could get past the break point. I knew on the other side would be my chance to catch a wave and ride it. There is nothing like that feeling of surfing a wave!
Am I ever glad I didn’t quit! I ended up catching and riding some awesome waves. The feeling of riding this energy is indescribable. This feeling of being in sync with the sea. What a rush!
It was hard work to get out there. I had to face my own fears and work through some tough spots for sure. I got a bit beat up. My muscles were pushed to their limit. But I knew if I had turned back I would be disappointed with myself.
Not giving up increased my confidence that I can do hard things.
I proved to myself I can persevere even when it feels like I am going under.
I have strength I can turn to even when it feels like I am spent.
We don’t get to ride a beautiful wave by just sitting on the shore. It takes courage to get out there and get up on the board. It asks us to look head on at our fears and self doubt.
I think life is a lot like surfing. It is easier to sit back and watch the waves than dive in and ride them. But if we can find the courage, it is a lot more fun to actually get in the sea and engage with life.
Scary? Yes!
But the pay off is worth it.
When we face our fears ~ we grow.
When we face our fears ~ we have amazing, unforgettable experiences.
When we face our fears ~ we build our confidence.
When we face fears ~ we let go of that burden of worry.
When we face fears ~ we prove to ourselves just how strong we are.
When we face fears ~ we get to discover new parts of life and living.
I know it is easier to stay on the shore, or turn back when it feels too intimidating, but my surf session was such a good reminder of the process and the pay off and I wanted to share it with you; to encourage you to persevere even when you are scared.
It is worth it!
Are you putting off something that you want to do? What fear is holding you back? Is there an action you know you need to take that you are avoiding?
Once you can identify what it is you are running from, you can start to take steps to face it.
Put your hat on, (even if you lose it) grab your board, and paddle out there.
There will be challenges; obstacles. Life will throw you around a bit. But you do have the strength to make it to wherever you want to go.
Face your fears and you will get there!
Need support on your wellness journey? Reach out!
I love coaching people towards living their best life.
