CO State of Mind

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I love rock climbing.

If you didn’t know, I went to school out West, and enjoyed rock climbing a few times. Both in climbing gyms and in the outdoors. It’s practically a religion out there.

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But rock climbing is really a great sport. Not only is it a great workout physically, but also mentally – and dare I say it — spiritually?

If you’ve ever been rock climbing – even if only once – you know, that you will eventually come to the moment. It is the moment where you’ve gone as far as you can go, comfortably. In other words, you’re stuck.

You’ve got your handholds and your footholds and you’re feeling really good right where you are. The only problem is that the next handhold is just a bit too far out of reach. So you freeze. You stop progressing and stay stagnant in your “safe spot,” knowing that in order to get to the next handhold, things are going to get dicey.

Scared-Cat
I don’t think I’ve ever had a climb where I haven’t had a moment like that. It’s a challenge. It’s what makes climbing thrilling and exciting.

There are so many parallels between life and climbing.

We all have moments where we’re comfortable. We feel as though we’ve gone as far as possible without enacting fear or danger. Maybe in a job, or at school. Or a habit that we’ve grown accustomed to. We’re comfortable, and unwilling to let go.



Especially in recovery. You’re progressing, but have gotten to the point of stagnation. Or a rut. And you’re far enough “off the ground” that you feel like you don’t need to go any further. Because in order to get to the next level, in order to continue on, you have to let go of your place of security, and actually reach for that next grip.

You have to leave where you’re comfortable in order to progress.

And that’s a scary thing. Because you’re climbing on a wall, or are on the side of a mountain. The danger is real. There is a very real chance that you could slip or fall or not make it to the next handhold.



But here’s the thing.

You’re connected to a rope. You’re in a harness and have carabineers and a bilé system that is going to catch you if, by chance, you do miss the grip, or your foot slips.

No one in their right mind would ever go rock climbing without setting up the proper safety system.

So it is in life. We’re connected to a rope. A bilé that’s going give us the courage to reach for that next grip and will catch us if we fall.

And I bet you can guess where I’m going with this: but that safety rope we’re connected to is Jesus.

I’m not going to get preachy, I promise. So I’ll leave you with this.

Leaving a spot of comfort is hard. You’re suspended in the air, literally clinging to the side of a cliff for dear life. It takes some serious balls to let go of that grip to reach for the next one. But we’ve got to, if we want to make it to the top.

For my recovery, the last things I had to “let go of” were a) truly giving up excessive exercise, and 2) learning to love the young woman staring back at me in the mirror.


Maybe that next grip for you is standing up for yourself in a toxic relationship. Or enrolling in the college credits you still have left. Maybe it’s leaving a negative friend group, or applying to that dream school or dream job. Maybe it’s going to that AA meeting. Or simply, taking a good, hard look in the mirror at why you’re unhappy or hurting, and facing the truth.

Whatever it is, believe me, I know how comfortable your “safe spot” can be. But the freedom and the view from the top of the mountain is worth stretching out that arm, facing the possibility of falling, and letting go — because He will never let us fall. He loves us so much that He’ll always be there to catch us.

Freedom is waiting to be had. It’s up to you.

 

 

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

279 thoughts on “CO State of Mind”

  2. I love this post. Although I have never rock climbed, I understand that he real challenge of stepping outside of your comfort zone. I’m sharing this doll.💋

    Debra
    stylewisebydebra.com

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    1. Thank you so much Debra! I really appreciate the encouragement ☺️ yes, stepping outside our comfort zones is definitely scary, but so worth it in the end! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs! and thanks for the share! Xox

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  3. Loved this post! Makes me want to go climb a mountain! Next time I’m out in New Mexico or Colorado, I’m climbing. Might start with a mesa though to get my feet wet! 🙂

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  4. That was courageous in a couple of ways! It’s exciting to step out of yourself and reach for God, and to reach for that grip. This was an intriguing read all the way through… I really picked up on that uneasy feeling too! Excellent effect!

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  5. Thank you for sharing those words. One thing I have learned through rock climbing is that you are forced to “be” in the moment. You can’t dream about the past or ponder about the future when you are holding on by your fingernails 100ft from the ground.

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  7. This is beautiful. And it’s how I feel about expressing myself sometimes. Sometimes I know something is on my heart for a reason, but it’s not always easy to put it out there, ya know? But God’s always got our back… whom shall we fear?? 🙂

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  8. Love your analogy and relating it to life! Yes, God will never leave us nor forsake us – we just cling to our own limitations as we forget that God is our lifeline with a firm grip on us already! Great blog!!

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  12. I love your sharing of this experience and your imagery you use about it. You will keep ascending to great heights and that beautiful person will triumph over the things you wish to fall by the wayside with each stone you reach. You are amazing and beautiful inside and out!!

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  15. I used to live near a Wildlife refuge that had a “mountain.” Technically, it wasn’t tall enough to be classified as a mountain; yet, the name stuck. It had huge boulders and rocks that I loved to climb. I climbed all the way to the top once, barefooted and bold as the buffalo grazing below. Once I got there though, I sought my spirituality through the use of marijuana and I’d smoke a joint and feel a peaceful serenity come over my soul that I associated with Mother Earth and Nature.

    At the time, I was 22 years old and Jesus was the last name I wanted to hear or believe in. As a child, the Bible was practically shoved down our throats every day as we had a “daily devotion” read by my dad each morning, a holding of hands and a chanting of a prayer over each and every meal (even in public), a monetary reward for memorizing and quoting Scriptures, word for word, and of course Sunday School, Wednesday night bible meetings, and Christian camps for kids…

    Yet, my dad was abusive. He would not only get angry and yell on a daily basis, he also sometimes hit my mom as well as my sister and I. Once, he literally beat me so hard with a wooden spoon that it broke in half…I ran outside and climbed the highest tree and escaped the wrath by finding comfort in nature.

    However, after all the things that happened to me later in life, I have now returned my heart back to Christ. I had a lot of time on my hands in the institution; I wanted the truth. So, I studied several religions for a while and then asked my dad for a good study Bible.

    I thank Jesus that my family has never completely turned their backs on me. It is sad to hear how some people with mental illnesses have been banned by their original family. I always try to share the Light and speak to everyone equally, for to me, we are all in it together.

    Loved the post! – LaVancia

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    1. Hi LaVancia, wow, thank you so much f or sharing this. I am so sorry that you had to suffer that abuse. That absolutely breaks my heart that someone who was supposed to protect and love you would violate a child like that. Know that you did not deserve that treatment. you are good. and worthy of being loved and cherished. I’m so glad that you’ve found the loving arms of Christ. How incredible to have a Savior who will whisper to us our worth. And you’re absolutely right: we ARE all in this together. Thanks for stopping by. Sending you so many hugs my friend.

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      1. Thanks for reading…my dad and I get along great now. He was a preacher and now is retired. We have faced many mountains; yet, by God’s grace, my heart never stopped loving my dad and he kept doing his best to change into the wonderful man he is today. Hugs-LaVancia

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  16. When I read your title, I got super excited thinking you were writing about thinking like a Coloradian, but when I started reading your post I was even more excited. I love the imagery and parable that you used. It reminded me when Jesus said “Take my yoke upon you…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29 & 30 KJV), Awesome, Thank you!

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  17. Why did this post make me cry! I honestly feel as if I have been living in a comfort zone with room to make many changes in my life. Thank you for this beautiful post and the encouragement!

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  18. I would certainly be trying something that I’m scared of like going to the Middle East. Yes, indeed we are connected to Jesus so point in being scared of going to the Middle East.
    Nice article.
    GOD bless you.

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  21. Great image of struggle and perseverance. Some awesome thoughts on getting out of the comfort zone and moving forward in life. Thanks for sharing!

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      1. It was a pleasure for me reading that post. And funny being called Ray! 😀 First time anyone ever used that for me, although it does sound cool. 🙂
        God bless.

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    1. Thank you so much Joe. Wow, I love that analogy. I’ve never heard anything like it before, but you’re so right. He will provide us a pathway through the storm. Thanks for stopping by and for sharing this great insight! hugs!

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  27. Indeed. I hope I’m sensitive to the sensation of being “too comfortable” in whatever I might be going for. I think people already get suspicious of that sensation, but usually because they think something bad is going to happen because of how easy it seems now. You know: when will the other shoe drop? But it’s best to face that dropping shoe head-on. Don’t let chance lead; let it be a conscious move of faith.

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  29. For starters, I am a fervent supporter of rock climbing myself.Its always a thrilling experience and the climb says it all. The highlight of this beautifully written piece is the message that it conveys of perceptions. Letting go is by far the hardest thing to do and takes a lot of courage but it’s just a stepping stone towards freedom of the soul.As far as body image goes, I have often looked at myself in the mirror and hated myself for being affected by the preconceived notions of the society. I am what I am and take pride in the fact that I am drawn to the soul rather than the outwardly afflictions drawn by bodily issues. Kudos to you and your amazing spirit.😊😊😊

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    1. Hello again! ☺️ thanks again for your beautiful reflection. you’re right- letting go takes so much courage and leads to unimaginable freedom. Amen sister–let’s celebrate soul beauty! ☺️❤️❤️thanks again for taking the time to read my posts! Have a lovely afternoon!

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      1. Now that’s a true sense of celebration- soul beauty💓💓💓 You are welcome and look forward to reading more of your inspiring posts😊😊 Cheers and have a blessed day 😇😇 Peace and love✌

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  30. So true…. whether it’s challenging yourself to recover or challenging yourself in new situations it doesn’t matter, both will see you push your boundaries and develop new strengths. Well said.

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    1. Thank you so Much! Oh yes, pushing the “publish” button for the first time is always a big step out of the comfort zone. But so exciting and the beginning of a great journey! Thanks for reading! Xox

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  33. I love this!!!

    I can really relate to the illustration of trust from rock climbing from spending the last 8 years of caving and rock climbing all over the southeast.

    Jesus is my belayer.

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  34. Thanks for sharing! I went rock climbing at a gym once – got about twelve feet up, let myself fall, and let the tether cable catch my full weight. It was enjoyable to just dangle there…free. I think I may prefer walking. 🙂

    And thank you for liking my ham on rye post on my blog, https://sidedishesblog.wordpress.com/ – feel free to follow if you’re so inclined. 🙂

    Be well,
    Jim

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  38. I like to be outside my comfort zone. I aspire to be an alpinist. You have captured with this article all my reason to decide it to be. (Except for Jesus 🙂 but I get your point.

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  39. Simply beautiful and just amazing! ❤ I love reading your posts, they're written with heart and soul. And they speak the complete and total truth! You are so inspirational to me, and many many others. Lots of love, MaryLouise

    Liked by 1 person

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