Recently I had the opportunity to participate in an outdoor adventure that scared the hell out of me.  I was to climb a 30 foot pole, balance myself at the top with nothing to hold on to, jump off that pole to touch a ball hanging feet away, and then land on my feet after harnessing down.  I also was to be harnessed and lifted 50 feet off the ground only to release myself from my tether in order to swing back and forth above the ground (think roller coaster drop feeling). Needless to say, I was terrified. I froze at the top of the climbed pole and my knees were shaking uncontrollably. I started saying out loud that I could not do it. I had a decision to make – I could quit or I could face my fears. I have been through an unbelievably difficult year and I have been challenged in ways I wish I never was. Although terrified of crashing to the ground, facing the challenges on the ropes course was actually nothing compared to what I have been through, so I decided to go for it and go for it with my all.  You know what? I did it!  And I would do it again. It was exhilarating and amazing and gave me a sense of pride in myself for overcoming obstacles.  I share this story in the hopes to  encourage all of you to believe in yourselves – we are all a lot stronger than we give ourselves credit for.  Negative self talk can wreak havoc on our spirits. Bad things will happen.  Life can be very confusing and unkind, but it can also be full of learnings and defining moments.  Be good to yourselves and believe you can overcome obstacles…or at least swing from the sky and land on your own two feet.

I also have to note, since this is the place where we talk about all things chic, that I did all of this in a chic little sporty number with neatly pulled back hair, manicured nails and classic diamond stud earrings.  (p.s. I also must note, that I detest little sporty numbers and will not even wear sneakers while hiking Hawaiian mountains as my friend Susan can remember! haha So I did not feel very chic, but managed to pull it all together.)

Here are the pics to prove that I did it!