Anyone who knows me knows that I cannot even look at a movie or commercial that features heights much less go up on a very high place myself. My stomach just goes straight to the floor and it doesn't matter if it is a rational fear or not. I just have a fear of heights.
Recently my fear had a little test. I was invited to accompany the landscaping maintenance crews of our city as they did their work on the trees throughout our town. I could not resist the chance to do it so I said yes that I would be happy to go up in their maintenance bucket... more than 60 ft. up to experience what they do on a daily basis.
As I buckled in I wondered what I had volunteered for. After all I had no need to do it and it would not make any difference to my life. But I wanted to see if I could get over that panic feeling about heights. So, as I signed the release, I thought...."well just this once..."
And away I went... As the bucket climbed it wobbled just a little. I knew that I was safe but I had to think "mind over matter" as I went slowly up and a little forward to reach the high branches.. From the height of 60 ft. the view was beautiful. I could see the ocean behind the city and a little bit of the emerging sunset. As I turned in the other direction, the mountains were highlighted in the evening sun. It gave me a perspective that I would have never had from the ground.
Then it was over ...all too short ...and I wobbled again and slowly descended again. What an exhilarating experience and I am so glad that I didn't let my fear of heights stop me from enjoying it.
Recently my fear had a little test. I was invited to accompany the landscaping maintenance crews of our city as they did their work on the trees throughout our town. I could not resist the chance to do it so I said yes that I would be happy to go up in their maintenance bucket... more than 60 ft. up to experience what they do on a daily basis.
As I buckled in I wondered what I had volunteered for. After all I had no need to do it and it would not make any difference to my life. But I wanted to see if I could get over that panic feeling about heights. So, as I signed the release, I thought...."well just this once..."
And away I went... As the bucket climbed it wobbled just a little. I knew that I was safe but I had to think "mind over matter" as I went slowly up and a little forward to reach the high branches.. From the height of 60 ft. the view was beautiful. I could see the ocean behind the city and a little bit of the emerging sunset. As I turned in the other direction, the mountains were highlighted in the evening sun. It gave me a perspective that I would have never had from the ground.
Then it was over ...all too short ...and I wobbled again and slowly descended again. What an exhilarating experience and I am so glad that I didn't let my fear of heights stop me from enjoying it.
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