A few weeks ago my family and I traveled to California for a friend’s wedding and some family time with my aunts and cousins. Shortly after arriving at the Sacramento airport and as we made our way to the elevator, my youngest daughter all of a sudden was nervous about getting onto the elevator. At first, I could not figure out why because using the elevator has never been a problem for her in the past. Once I calmed her down and we got on the elevator, I was able to identify the issue. See, the elevator was not atypical, it was a clear glass one where you can see all the cables, bells and whistles that enabled it to operate. The fact that she could see through it terrorized her.
Fast forward one week later, my husband and I took the girls sledding for the first time. We found a small hill near our house. At first, we started at the half mark and gradually, as the girls were more comfortable, we moved up to the top. Even though my daughter was having so much fun, her fear started to creep up on her again especially after her sled tipped over as she came to a complete stop at the bottom. She didn’t endure any injuries but her immediate response was quitting. We refused to let her end her fun-filled day on a negative note so we encouraged her to go one more time, and instantly, she was on high again, smiling and enjoying herself. She’s even ready to go back for more!
As I reflect back on those two experiences I realized how sometimes being able to see through the clear glass, being able to absorb the full picture is just as paralyzing as the unknown. We fear to reach into darkness because we don’t know what’s waiting for us on the other side, and somehow, being able to see it can produce the same fear. If you are anything like my kiddo and the big picture scares you, try to look at it as an opportunity instead. Take advantage of the known that’s been laid out in front of you and act on it. Start small…you don’t need to conquer the entire hill in one day. Small steps are more than okay to overcome your fear as you reach the other side.
