I love going on adventures, especially outdoors. And recently, I got to experience a new kind of outdoor adventure: Rock climbing. I had already been climbing for a while now at indoor rock climbing facilities, but this was my first time getting to do some true outdoor climbing. And it was awesome.
Now, I imagine if you’re like most people, your first reaction to the picture above might be, “Yeah, that’s not for me” or, “I couldn’t even do that if I wanted to!” Or maybe you might be the kind of person that thinks, “That seems pretty cool… Maybe I’d do something like that if I had someone to teach me and show me the ropes” (pun intended).
Wherever you find yourself on the scale of how likely or unlikely you would be to climb up a rock wall, I wanted to share with you some things I learned as a result of this rock climbing trip and hopefully they can be helpful to you too.
Insight #1: Growth Happens When We Adventure
Like I said before, I had already been climbing for a couple years now before going on this trip. And I had even gotten to go climbing outdoors just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah a little over a year ago. But I only got to climb one route when I was there, so my experience climbing outdoors was still limited. So in preparing for this excursion, my rock climbing guide had asked me to be the lead climber for the trip. Long story short, being a lead climber is way scarier than doing normal, top-rope climbing. Because with lead climbing, when you fall, you can fall 5 to 8 ft before the rope catches you, versus with top-rope climbing, the rope will essentially catch you immediately. So needless to say, lead climbing is scary.
But just like with any good adventure, there’s a challenge to be overcome. And with any adventurous activity, there’s a greater sense of accomplishment the greater the challenge is. The greater the fear, the greater the sense of esteem and strength that is gained when that fear is overcome. And that’s exactly what I got to experience. When I got to the top of one of the 40-50 ft routes, I felt incredibly proud of that accomplishment. Part of the adventure was getting to take a risk, and overcome an obstacle (in this case, a giant rock wall). I learned that by stepping outside of my comfort zone, I felt my sense of courage increase. And likewise, I felt like my confidence to believe that I can overcome challenging obstacles increase as well. And along with all of that, so did my sense of self-esteem.
Insight #2: Overcoming a Challenge Happens One Step at a Time
This was such an incredible insight to learn. And I learned it in such a tangible and exciting way. I learned this because as I was on the wall, getting higher and higher off the ground, the greater my fear grew of falling (and believe me, I still get that adrenaline rush from the fear of falling even with having climbed hundreds of hours now). But let me tell you, when I found that next hold on the wall that felt fantastic and perfect to hold all my weight on, I found an incredible amount of relief, and was able to pause and take a breath that prepared me to make my next move to the higher holds. I learned that part of overcoming a challenge is to just focus on getting to that next good hold or focus on making that next move. And I think the same applies for other challenges. To achieve the goal, all we can do is focus on taking that next step, making that next move, or making that next decision. And before you know it, you’re at the top of the wall.
Insight #3: Life is More Fun with Adventures
Life is too short and goes by too fast to not take some fun and exciting adventures. Each day comes and goes, whether we want it to or not. I’m only 26 years old, but even now, I see that time only goes by faster and faster the older we get. I’m incredibly blessed to have already gotten to go on a lot of adventures thus far in my life, and this recent adventure to Red River Gorge was incredible. And as I reflect on this recent adventure and others that came before it, I’m convinced that life is more fun with adventures. That’s not a groundbreaking or revolutionary idea. It seems obvious to say. And yet I think it needs to be said, and maybe it’s what you need to hear. I imagine there are a multitude of reasons why taking an adventure might not seem doable for you right now. It could be due to a busy schedule with kids or work. It could be due to finances, that you just don’t have the money to make a fun adventure happen right now. Or, it could be due to your personality; maybe taking spontaneous or out-of-the-box adventures just doesn’t come naturally to you. Whatever is seeming to block your way, I encourage you to take a step to go on your own adventure. Because this life is short. And it will be over before we know it. One of my favorite pastors named Tim Keller once said, “On our deathbeds, we never wish we had spent more time at the office.” And while work and family and many other responsibilities require our attention (and rightfully so), I hope and pray that you and I never forget the importance of making time to go on adventures.
Closing Thoughts:
After reflecting on this trip, it’s fun to see how impactful it was. Learning that growth happens when I go on adventures, that overcoming an obstacle happens one step at a time, and that life is more fun with adventures, we’re all helpful insights to reflect on.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and go on an adventure!
What are your thoughts?