Dare is my word for the year. I wanted to dare myself to expand my life. Being brave instead of being safe or maybe comfortable is a better word. Fear seems to be the starting point to brave, and then I have to dare to begin.
I looked up the definition.
Dare - "Have the courage to do something. Defy or challenge someone to do something."
"To have enough courage or confidence to do something: To not be too afraid to do something. To do something that is difficult that people are usually afraid to do."
Having the courage to DO something, is often where life gets stalled. Where it is easier to stay on the same trail, going around and around, instead of seeing what happens when you do the Hairpin Trail.
My biggest fear, was falling.
Being out of control.
Getting hurt.
My body isn't comfortable with steep hills and that have sharp turns at the bottom, or the aptly named trail - Hairpin.
I walked down the first hill, so I could see what was beyond it, and then put my skis back on.
It was fast, very fast. I was in the groomed tracks. I was in fear and going fast. Not knowing how this ride would end. Could I stay in the tracks going so fast. Or more could I stay on my feet!
You are very present when in fear. There isn't time for future worries or past reflections. You are there. Speeding down with the hair being blown back, eyes watering, skis singing as they speed over the snow! Oh, and in my case, poles frantically dragging, trying to slow me down.
As I approached the bottom, with the hairpin in my sights, I saw in an instant that the tracks disappeared into a banked curve of just snow. I literally dropped to a squat and fell. I was done. I was at the bottom! I wasn't injured...I had dared!
I dared to put myself outside of my comfort zone, and skill set.
I am not sure the hairpin will ever be part of my usual ski, but it taught me that I can do that which I feared.
We then had to climb back up. Uphills are as trying for me as down, and I have fallen more going up, than down. With a bit of fear in me, we ascended. I made it with zero falls.
The purposeful fall, is my way of controlling myself. Perhaps bringing back control when out of control. I bet we can purposefully Fall, when life gets out of hand.
When you add daring to your life, you bring in excitement and a new level of achievement, self-growth and esteem. You move yourself ahead into new territory.
The long glides of no hills or very gentle hills are my favorite part of skiing, the meditative slow pace.
But, my blood and person comes alive on the hairpin turns!
I also believe that we mistakenly call being comfortable the goal in life. That we succeed where our lives are routine and assured.
However, if we do not dare, our lives will become bland.
I am sure at some point, our bodies will not allow much daring to go on; but while I can, I will Dare!
