With the pandemic fear that is running rampant these days, I am taking a break from my usual home organizing post to bring you something near and dear to my heart. It is a conquer fear reflection piece I wrote during my freshman year in college. And, how I moved forward and what I learned from the experience. I hope you like it.
Introduction:
When I was in high school, I went to Jamaica with my family and we visited Dunn's River Falls (Check out the gallery section to see the falls). I was so inspired by the experience that I wrote this for a college class. Twenty-plus years later, I am sharing my experience with you. I hope you enjoy it.
Overcome Fear
by Sabrina Quairoli
At the bottom of the falls, while observing the rushing water running down the side of a 180' (55 m) mountain, I began to feel anxious. Asking myself, "Why were we walking up the falls? Why are my parents forcing me to do this? What would I get out of this experience?" Little did I know this experience would change my entire perspective on life.
While waiting to begin the uphill climb, I noticed that all of the people on the trail were in their little groups; each group not talking to the next. The guide that approached us stood six-foot-tall, was barefoot with a bare chest and a thick black beard. He told us the rules in his friendly Jamaican accent, "Everyone gathers around and hold hands. Remember, watch the person in front of you, so you do not lose the momentum of the human chain. Always be aware of everything that is going on around you while walking up the falls and watch your step."
As the guide spoke, all I could think about was how are twenty-five people going to stay hand in hand while going up this high mountain. I wondered what this climb would have in store for me since I couldn't see past the edge of the first plateau. I began to ask myself questions concerning the next level. Was the next plateau going to be easier? Was the next level going to be harder? Will this really work? I had to own up to the fact that I wouldn't know until I got up there and saw for myself.
As we started up the falls, I became very nervous; my hands were clammy and my body was very tense. Then I remembered something my parents would tell me, "Don't always take the safest route because it may deprive you of having a beautiful experience." I now understood what they meant. The water was so beautiful. The people were so friendly. So, I put my worries aside and began.
As we moved on, I noticed that everyone was working together, helping one another move forward, receiving and giving help to one another. The person in front would help the person behind. And, the person behind would be a balance for the person in front. If we broke the chain, everyone would stop and reconnect. I was amazed by this act of giving and taking with kindness and support for one another.
After every last person in the human chain reached the first plateau, we were able to rest. The small individual groups from the bottom turned into one united group of individuals talking and resting together. It made me think. If we could resolve our issues and concerns toward others and with ourselves by asking for help and allowing people to help us, our world would be different. Just think if everyone stayed in their comfort zone, without taking on challenges and moving past them, we would not be able to progress.
When we reached the second level, the realization of my previous thought became clearer. By struggling with others and reaching our common goal together, we were able to move to a common ground. This plateau level seemed more humorous. We were able to laugh at each other and our situations. And we were not taking these tasks as seriously.
The final plateau gave us the gift of togetherness and completion. As we stood, soaking wet waist-high in rushing waterfalls, we felt accomplished. Grateful for our experience. We smiled at each other and were relieved that we finished without harm. The people seemed to have changed their reaction to climbing the falls. They were not scared or concerned any longer. They were proud of their accomplishments and were able to move on to something else.
While we were drying off at the top, I looked down the falls again. It looked so tame and inviting. I thought, how my perception changed from the top looking down than the perception from the bottom looking up.
This whole experience symbolized what life should be. Each stage of life is a stepping stone to the next. We will never know what the next level will reveal to us. It also gave me a new meaning for the phrase, "Going against the current." We all go against the current in life but somehow we reach our goal sooner or later, it's just a matter of how much help we may ask for and how much we are willing to work to get past our fears and judgment.
The End.
Closing remarks regarding conquering fear:
Re-visiting this experience after so many years has shown me that if we stop and really observe what we are doing in our lives, we can change anything. I hope this inspired you to take a look at your life and see what is stopping you from being the best you.
Did you have an experience that stopped you from reaching your goal? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear about it.
Below are some additional articles I found on how to conquer fear. Feel free to check them out.
4 Mental Tricks to Conquer Fear
Janet Schiesl
Your thoughts on conquering fear and experiencing it with a group works perfectly for today. Being isolated in our homes can be lonely and fearful, but connecting with others on social media or the phone can have helped me realize that we are all in this together, the whole world.
Linda Samuels
Thank you for sharing such an inspiring reflection from your earlier days. I love how the experience, fear and accomplishment of climbing those falls has stayed with you as a guiding force. You bring up such an important idea, which is that each of us have had challenges in life. We can draw from those experiences and strengths to help us navigate and have a perspective on this unprecedented time of world crisis. I think collectively we are experiencing fear, but if we work with one another, help each other, we can and will find the beauty and inspiration that is right in front of us.
Sabrina Quairoli
I totally agree! Thank you for commenting.
Stacey Agin Murray
So beautifully written! I couldn't wait to see what happened next! It's impossible to move forward without the help of others. The phrase, 'It takes a village...' comes to mind. Thanks for sharing your story with the world. I'm sure it will help many.
Sabrina Quairoli
Thanks, Stacey! Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Seana Turner
What a lovely reflection, and so poignant at this particular time! We really are sharing a global experience as never before. Our actions can directly impact someone else, just as your holding onto each others hands did. We can pull together and overcome difficulties, and it is worth the effort. We need to stay in a posture of hope and faith. Thanks for sharing:)
Janet Barclay
Sabrina, this is very inspiring. Not just the story itself, but the fact that you wrote it at the time and that the lesson is still valuable for you and others so many years later shows the value of journaling.
Sabrina Quairoli
Thanks. I wrote it about a year later. Reflection really is 20/20.
Kim
Hi Sabrina,
I love it when life teaches us these lessons. It is so great when you are doing something like this that is totally new and different and then can really apply it to your life in other ways. Great post 🙂
Tuhin
Hello Sabrina,
You have nicely narrated your experience in this post.
All the pleasant milestones in life come after defeating the fear and overcoming a number of hurdles.
Fear is a basic human emotion. The best we can do is to train ourselves in a way so as to overcome this fear and march forward in life.
William Rusho
Fear is a great emotion. It is also one of those emotions that if you can conquer it, you feel proud of yourself in doing so. Great post, thanks for sharing it with us.
Ellen Delap
It's truly when we experience something ourselves that we can speak to other's about how we are changed by it. Fear is a powerful emotion and one we all experience. I find team work is the answer too. I especially appreciate holding hands to physically connect and let go of fear. Thanks for sharing!
Sabrina
Great point! Teamwork helps us get through the fear. Thank you for leaving a comment.
Jeri
Thanks for sharing how you conquer fear. Availing ourselves to help and being able to look at the situation from a different angle often tends to work wonders on our mindset. I tell myself what all the time when I'm feeling overwhelmed!
andleeb
This is such a great post and worth sharing.
You are right, helping each other and giving room is a big thing that can change our lives. I am happy that your parents wanted you to go for it.
The view from top is always different from bottom. This is also true when we have confidence on each other and we are helping each other then the problems and hardships do not seem to be a big deal.
SafariOnTheBlog
What an interesting post! Thanks for sharing Sabrina.
Totally agree with you 100% tthat we have to push outside of our comfort zone in order to move forward.
Pamela Chollet
Definitely a life lesson, it was there for you to learn and you were ready to understand. Because of the heightened state of anxiety you were more aware of what was going on around you and within you. You were totally connected to the experience. The inspiration is that you took that nervous energy and anxiety and reframed it connecting it to a positive, profound and truly memorable experience. So cool.
Sabrina
Well said, Pamela! Thank yu for your feedback.
Marquita Herald
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story! I often use the stepping stone analogy in my own writing about emotional resilience and it seems perfectly suited to your message about overcoming fear. Thank you for the inspiration.
Sabrina
And thank you Marquita. Reading your posts inspired me to revisit this post.
Ken Dowell
A great description of what was really a profound experience. As a parent this is kind of an inspiration to take into consideration providing meaningful experiences when I travel with my son.
Sabrina
Great idea Ken. I am glad you liked it.
Phoenicia
What an inspiring post. I agree that we have to push outside of our comfort zone in order to move forward. It can be frightening stepping out into the unknown.
I have been to Dunns River Falls. I loved it!
Sabrina
It was a great lesson to learn. And, of course, still learning to this day. I hope to take my kids there too to see if how they react to it.
Sabrina
It was a great lesson to learn. And, of course, still learning to this day. I hope to take my kids there too to see if how they react to it.
Sabrina
It was a great lesson to learn. And, of course, still learning to this day. I hope to take my kids there too to see if how they react to it.
Beth Niebuhr
What a wonderful post! I could just picture each step of your experience in my mind. How wonderful that the little groups all became parts of the big group. I can't think of anything quite so fine as this story of yours at the moment. Thanks for telling us.
Sabrina
Thanks Beth, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Jacqueline Gum
This is a beautiful post. I love that this served as such a valuable life lesson for you..it's a profound one! To stray from what seems like safety in order to experience something beautiful. Thanks for sharing it...it's a great reminder at any age.
Meredith @ The Palette Muse
This whole story is a really beautiful metaphor for life. I'm glad you were able to experience it at a young age.
Lenie
Hi Sabrina, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story - that must have been an amazing experience. I appreciated this statement “Don’t always take the safest route because it may deprive you from having a beautiful experience.” That is so true, isn't it? Thanks for sharing.
Sabrina
It is a great reminder. Now that my parents have passed, it really reminds me of their wisdom.
Donna Janke
Good advice to sometimes stop and observe what we are doing in life. I've done Dunn's River Falls a couple of times. Not being all that comfortable in water, I was a little nervous the first time, but it turned out to be a fun experience.