FACING FEAR

Not many people know this but, I'm deathly afraid of heights. Seriously. So when a friend planned a trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon my initial reaction was - ummmm - no. Sedona I could do as long as I could just enjoy the beautiful red mountains terrain. No climbing for me. But, the Grand Canyon - I didn't think so. Yet, something inside me kept gnawing away. The truth of the matter was I really wanted to see the Grand Canyon. It was on my list of places I always to see. I was shaking in my boots. Thank goodness my nerves where calmed by a group of pretty funny women. We laughed along the way to our destinations and took pictures of the beautiful scenery. First stop was Sedona . It -was - beautiful. Yet, my mind was still on the Grand Canyon. I got nervous just thinking of it. I had time to really think about it. We were spending the nite in Sedona and would leave for the Grand Canyon the next morning. Morning came ( a bit to quick for me!) and, after some good nature ribbing from the others, I reluctantly agreed to go. It was a quiet ride for me. I almost baled out at the entrance to the Canyon. My mind was racing. But, I took a deep breath, and knew I had to do it. Pulling into a parking lot I glimpsed around me and my eyes came to rest on a scene that looked surreal. I stepped outside the car and there it was - the scenery was so spectacular it took my breath away! Although the others made their way to one of the railings I stayed behind. But, the beauty of the scenery pulled me in. Slowly I made my way to a railing. I felt sick, dizzy and excited, all at the same time. When I finally made it to the railing I reached out and held on for dear life. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly opened my eyes. As the beauty unfolded before my eyes the fear I originally felt begin to give way to awe and wonderment. It was beyond beautiful. Oh, I was still a bit queasy, but, I knew that I had taken a huge step in my war against fear. Fear - false evidence appearing real - had suffered a major blow. More importantly, I knew that when you do the thing you fear, the death of fear is certain. Note: I've been back to the Canyon 3 more times and plan to go back again and again.