What's your 14er?
In the back of our minds we have that itch to do something
that, well, other people can do, but we really aren't strong enough, patient enough,
talented enough, whatever enough.
Perhaps it's an intellectual challenge of learning another language,
going back to school or learning to play the piano. Maybe it's a bit more focused, like being the
nighttime DJ at a local jazz station, a swirling flamenco dancer or a revered
master gardener. Or the physical
challenge of finishing a marathon, hiking the 14ers in Colorado or doing a
handstand without the wall(!). There are
spiritual challenges of committing to daily practice of mantra and meditation
or attending a lengthy retreat. For most
of us, these would all be a step out of our comfort zone.
It can be exciting to fantasize about what "could be" just
as we dream about what we'd do the $10M lottery winnings. What do you fantasize about? Is it a bit scary? It should be.
If not, think a bit more outside your comfort zone. Does it take time and a boat load of
preparation, effort or talent? It
should.If not, dig a bit deeper. Maybe your fantasy is the result of a tad bit
of envy or awe at someone else's accomplishments. Got it?
Great.
Can you see yourself actually preparing for and
accomplishing your challenge? So much of
getting to our goal is the path itself. The
end goal is really not what's important-it's the getting there. You practice for years to stand on your hands
in yoga class and it's over in 5 seconds!
It takes you 15 years to learn another language so you can tell the taxi
driver on your next trip to Lyon to turn right at the next corner. Or, you slave for months pounding the
pavement and you're done in 4 hrs., 14 min., 29 seconds. It's really not about the end result, it's
the challenge (mentally and physically) of preparing to do it. Maybe you never get close to realizing your
dream. That's not it. It's about stepping out of our comfort zone
and doing something inspiring, daring. It should
be a bit frightening.
There are a few things that keep us from crossing that
road. The biggies are fear of failure and fear of ridicule (what
others will think). Are you OK with not living
your fantasy or attaining your goal? Are
you OK with others (or yourself) thinking you're a nutjob? Are you willing to sacrifice, yes, sacrifice,
time (for sure) and money (most likely) to pursue your dreams? If you answered an exuberant or even half-assed
YES to the above questions-you're set.You've got it.What are you
waiting for?
Patrick, my husband, is preparing to hike two hands full of
the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado over 3 to 4 weeks in August. This is one of his dreams (along with doing
the PCT). He's met the criteria: he's OK with it not happening, there are
people who think he's crazy, and he'll have to turn down paying work and spend
mucho time and money to pursue this goal. But,
it's not so much about the actual trip.I
see so much of his excitement coming from just preparing for his adventure. He's hitting the gym to get in shape,
researching the locations, routes, and weather, preparing and organizing the
car, deciding on what inner/outer/overwear is needed. Then there's the proper shoes for hiking and après
hiking, a comfortable tent, sleeping bag, and pads [hello REI]. I'm rooting that he makes it, but if not,
I'm hella proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone and putting his dream
into action. I have a friend, Lori, who
decided to become Bat Mizvah'd in her 50's.
That meant 2 years of attending school at her temple, learning to read
Hebrew (uh) and standing up alone in front of her friends and congregation and chanting from
the Torah It's challenging when you're
13, but takes some chutzpah when you're an adult.Congratulations, Lori!
With the seemingly never-ending bad/sad news about oily
birds, crazy teapartiers and Obama bashing, etc., maybe it's the right time to start
your fantasizing, don't you think?
