Idea #6 CONQUER A MOUNTAIN

(photo credit - from Google images)

I firmly believe that EVERYONE at some point in their life should experience the thrill of climbing a mountain. whether it be by lengthy painstaking hike, or the heart-pounding adrenaline rush of scaling the face of sheer drop cliffs in a harness.  Whatever your stomach can handle.  When you reach the top, sweating and gasping to catch your breath,  it immediately gets taken away again as you realize in awe the significance of your accomplishment.

 You LITEALLY just conquered the mountain in your path. The pure undiluted exhileration shoots your emotions to cloud nine and you feel like a million bucks. And why shouldn't you?   After all, you just pushed your body beyond the limits of what you thought you were capable of. When your mind wanted to quit, your indomitable spirit wouldn't let it. When your muscles ached and threatened to give up, you rebelled and pushed them harder. When you feared you just might not be able make it, you did anyways. You conquered your fears and your own prejudiced limitations and proved to yourself that you are stronger than you ever thought, both physically AND mentally.

(yep, that's my incredible husband right there folks! He makes it look easy - the sign of a pro climber!)
Sorry, I got a little distracted there ( but hey, can you blame me? Look at him!)
Back to my original point, Climbing. Conquering your limitations and fears. Accomplishing something so tangible, so simply REAL is like a jumpstart for your very  soul.
You will find yourself "standing on top of the world",  with the newfound confidence that you really can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Gather your courage, and go get 'er done!

Look Ma, No hands!

My first REAL climbing experience ( real= no indoor climbing wall with mats below, haha) came this weekend. Here I am in my friends' harness, perched precariously on the side of the bluff, giving the thumbs up sign,  haha.

 

 I was surprised by how easily I became fascinated by the challenge of  it. It's all about pushing yourself beyond your mental limitations and proving to yourself just how much you can accomplish. On a personal level, I don't think there is anything more rewarding. Challenging myself is what I'm all about!

One of my friends took these couple photos of me climbing, while the other belayed me from the ground.  I can honestly say that as far as Trust Building Moments go, there's no greater exercise in trust than having to lean back over a 36-meter cliff and trust your friend to lower you safely to the ground. Seriously, as far as seeing trust in action, this is a HUM-DINGER! hahaha!

I wished I had a longer zoom lens with me, it would have made for some incredible shots. unfortunately not though. 

So that wraps up our weekend climbing adventure.

I hope you all were able to get out and enjoy from fresh air at some point over your weekend. If not, make yourself a promise that you'll get out next weekend, and keep your promise. Your health with thank you for it!

Thumbs up from way up there,

-J