New Ways To Go

This week I was doing some spring house cleaning and sorting through some drawers.  I pulled out my favorite T-shirt, which has numerous holes in the back and a torn neckline.  It has to be thrown out. 

But who can part with something they love?

The T-shirt really has seen its last day . . . as a T-shirt.  What I want to do is turn it into something else.  Why? 

Back in 2001, I was attending the World Figure Skating Championships in Vancouver.    Traveling with me was my best friend from high school — a reunion of sorts.

We were scheduled to take a bus tour of the city.  And on that day the highlight of the bus tour was to be the rainforest site of the Capilano Suspension Bridge. 

Let me tell you the bridge is a freakin, swaying, footbridge 230 feet above the Capilano River.

Okay, we got off the bus and made our way to the bridge.  The scenery was gorgeous.  My friend began walking across the bridge.  But my fear of heights kicked in, and I couldn’t take one step onto the swaying bridge.

My curiosity was getting to me.  What was it like on the other side?  This was our first full day in Vancouver, and somehow I felt I had to cross that bridge.  There I was, feeling too scared to cross and feeling sorry for myself as well.

Eventually I made my way to the gift shop.  While I was looking for gifts to bring home to my family, I spied a wonderful looking T-shirt.  It featured a picture of the bridge and at the top it said:  I SURVIVED THE CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE. 

The “I SURVIVED” was in red and if anyone doubted how high up or how scary this bridge that swayed while you were crossing it was, those words would make it perfectly clear to them. 

This was an experience to survive!

At that moment, I could visualize myself crossing over and telling everyone later about my adventure.  But how could I purchase and wear this T-shirt if I didn’t actually do the deed? 

(Tip:  The unknown is scary and hard to imagine.  Don’t dwell on the fear.  Get a really clear picture of what it is you want and what you’re willing to give up or do in order to achieve it.)

Buy it, I thought.  Then you MUST cross the bridge so you can wear the shirt.  So I made my purchase.  How I was going to actually get from one side to the other was a mystery. 

(Tip:  Take action and worry about the scary part later.)

With one foot in front of me, followed by the next and so on, I began my journey across the bridge.  There was still some time left before the bus would depart. 

(Tip:  We can’t afford to stay where we are.  Sometimes we won’t have another chance if we don’t seize the moment now.)

Too scared to look down, I kept my eyes on my feet.  My heart pounded like crazy.  I was moving at a snail’s pace. 

Somewhere around what must have been the middle of the bridge, I decided that I owed it to myself to take a look at the view.  So I stopped and looked up and around and yes, even down to the river below.  My stomach felt queasy but at the same time I was thrilled.

Of course the view was fabulous but to tell the truth, I only cared about my actions.  I was moving forward. 

(Tip:  Moving forward and doing something despite our fear gives us a sense of knowing who we are and a feeling of power from expanding our capabilities.)

My friend passed me along the way.  She was on her way back.  I got to the other side but had no time to explore.  I knew it would take me forever to get back, and the bus was going to depart. 

So why is this T-shirt so important to me? 

Because it’s living proof and a wonderful reminder of how I conquered my fear (that day). 

Have you crossed a bridge lately?

Trackback URI |