The best medicine for fear is to face it.

For some years, some many years ago, I suffered with bouts of anxiety that surfaced for no real explanatory reason what so ever.  Trying to combat the limitations this feeling can exacerbate I realized that the best way to over come was to face this anxiety head on.  For some people this anxiety surfaces in daily living, for others it is brought on by events or scenarios associated with the aforementioned stress.  Personally, I could not determine the root cause nor the factors which brought this upon myself.  With that said, when this feeling came upon me in theory or actuality, the best way I could overcome the issue was to face it head on and go for it.  The resulting accomplishments would then serve as a backboard – or bench mark so to speak – and check, that the anxiety was driven down beyond any means of resurfacing….and hence healed.  Travel was one of those scenarios for me which could bring upon anxiety. Unfamiliar people, places and things could in essence, get me anxious.  So, to over come…..you just GO. And Go. And Go. And that I have.  Diving was as well was something I wasn’t to particularly fond of – BUT – to overcome I had to come face to face and simply continue till that anxiety was so small it was non-existent. Some 1000 dives later and I’m master of the sea.  Bringing me to this next point.

Falling/floating/flailing from the sky from absurd heights in something that most people would be apprehensive about and possibly anxious.  Not good regular – I’m about to have a big job interview anxiety – but real unhealthy limitation experience anxiety.  One that cripples you and shapes your choices and experiences from that point on.  So, in that, Paragliding is one of those activities I’m not fond of in theory….and something I would never consider doing.  However, as per my usual medicine in these cases, it was best to hit this apprehension head on.  Thus, when I was thinking about my trip to Colombia and the possibility of going paragliding, taking part in this activity was not an option, it was a need.  An internal need to find that back board and burry that anxiety once again.

I accomplished the paragliding and lived to tell.  Im better off for it and although it really was a “stomach in the throat experience”, I would now consider doing it again, somewhere else, some other time.  I took a video of part of this experience.  It shows me floating around and somewhat enjoying myself.  We return to the landing zone and are still very high above when the pilot asks me if I want to do “some spins”. Everything inside me said” no freaking way”, but alas in the video you can hear me say, “lets go for it”.  The video below shows how insane these spins can be…..and of course that we had a safe landing as well.  If you hold on till the end you’ll see the relief on my face.  Not normal relief but relief that comes in the form of facing your fears and knowing that being empowered in that manner is the best medicine…..be it paragliding, diving, travelling – or for some – even simple day to day activities and life.  In this manner the best prescription is a well know remedy (and saying) that is very seldom used.  Its called: GO FOR IT. Try it, it might work for you as well.