Do Something That Scares You!

Writing Prompt: What something that scares you that you did anyway? 

I have often been told that you should do something that scares you every day to learn and grow. This morning I thought of my fear of heights, and decided today’s walking adventure would take me across the bridge from Illinois to Iowa. It’s not the first time I’ve crossed it. I used to do the road races where they blocked off the bridge and we walked across the actual street. This time, I was going to be on the narrow path designated for walking with nothing separating me from a plunge into the muddy Mississippi, but a thin railing.  

In the mile and a half it takes to get from my house to the bridge, I almost chickened out. What was the point of terrifying myself?  Hasn’t life been scary enough? As I stepped towards the foot of the bridge,  I took a deep breath and focused on the path ahead. I  just kept walking. I almost forgot my promise to take photos, so I paused with a death grip wrapped around my iPhone and looked out over the Mississippi. It was beautiful up there, calm and peaceful. There were some people out boating in the water, ducks or geese or whatever the hell bird that  floats in the river, appeared to be having a party, as the uncertain current whirled about. 

I became painfully aware that my heart was NOT racing, I wasn’t gasping for air, or holding on to the railing with a death grip. Adrenal fatigue from too much back to back stress and trauma had taken that ability away a couple of years ago.  I miss it sometimes. It started to return last year for a brief moment, but now it’s gone again.  The decision of fight or flight is motivated by thought and instinct, as opposed to adrenaline and fire. 

I made it across the bridge and down to the farmers market and immediately I saw something I haven’t seen in months. A crowd of people! People and their dogs laughing and smiling and buying plants, fruits, vegetables, sweet treats or meals from the multitude of food trucks.  I struck up a conversation with a random woman while waiting in line for what has GOT to be the best smoothie I’ve ever had in my life. This is not paid programming, but I’m gonna to link them here,  because why not: Bayside Bistro. I told this woman about my adventure across the bridge and how I wasn’t too keen to do it again, but I had to get back across to get home. Several people chimed in and told me how brave they thought I was, which struck me as funny. So many people ran or cycled across this path on a daily basis. One women even suggested I just take an Uber because in her mind, once across was enough. 

As I journeyed back home I started to think of all the other things I wanted to experience in life, but for some reason or other, I never did them.  I think I’m ready now. I have been inspired. In my unofficial life dissertation of trying to figure out “what motivates me” today answer is simple-ME!  

If you missed my latest YouTube video “What Motivates You?, check it out here:  What Motivates You?