14.10.12

A Change of Attitude

     My experience today made me wonder just how many more things I could do if my attitude were a little different. As I child I learned a poem that starts out with the phrase "If you think you are beaten, you are." With my patients and with my children, I share a rule that they can't say "I can't." When I hear it, I say "No, not with that attitude."

     Last Christmas one big surprise my husband planned for the kids was a zip line. He showed me several options and discussed what he finally decided to order. He shared his plan with his friends at work and explored ways to make it the best and safest he could for our family. He built a balcony on the tree house to make a bigger area for taking off. He added a seat so they didn't have to just hang but could actually sit down while zipping across 250 feet of our front yard.

     The kids and their friends have enjoyed it so much. Little kids have shown that they could do it. Other moms have done it. My husband even held our dog in his lap to give him a turn. He put a ladder in the middle of the yard so I could jump from a lower height closer to the end. I managed that a long time ago. But I couldn't let go and jump off the balcony- until today.

almost there

     Well today I did what I've been fearing since December. I climbed through the tiny hole to get into the treehouse, past the cat that thinks he lives there and the spiderwebs that shouldn't have surprised me but did. I crouched down to get through the short door to the balcony, stepped up to the platform, and grabbed the handles. My kids encouraged me and my husband looked up from the tractor, maybe wondering if I was really going to jump this time. He had stood right beside me as I backed down before. The kids all told me the best way to hold on. Joseph yelled his form of encouragement, Heather helped me get seated comfortably, and Emily stood beside me until I decided to finally go.

     And then I did it! 

     Over ten months to work up the nerve, but I did! I felt like I was flying. I even let go and held on with just one hand. I leaned back and smiled big and enjoyed the ride. It was as exhilarating as jumping from the condo balcony to the sand on a long ago college trip. Where did that fearlessness go? I wonder, still, what else I'm missing now because of my attitude.



Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 56:3

Jennifer
this post linked to:

     This is part of my 31 Days of Simple Things. Other bloggers sharing 31 days of are linked here

16 comments:

  1. Loved this post--and the last sentence is one I'll be asking myself, too. Kudos to you!

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  2. YAAAY! So glad you did! I'm glad I did too. It would've been so easy to just say no! Related, yesterday, I almost chickened out of going to a writer's circle. John Sigenthaler was there, for goodness sake. But I went. And I loved it. Great post. :)

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    1. What an amazing opportunity for you. Yay for not chickening out! I'm enjoy what I've seen thus far of your writing and want to read more.

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  3. I am so thankful God gives me the courage to jump when I need to. Thanks for linking up with Fresh Brewed Sundays!

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    1. Me too, Barbie! Thanks for hosting the link-up.

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  4. Sometimes we come across a blog post and we think, "Oh this is really awesome" or "I can so relate!; and then sometimes we read a blog post that very quietly settles inside and finds a place to give encouragement...this is one of those settle in post. I really enjoyed reading it.

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    1. Your kind words are comforting. I do want to encourage. :)

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  5. I'm so proud of you! I did climb into the treehouse--maybe on our next visit I'll actually let go and zip down. :)

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    1. Come on back over spontaneously one day ;)

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  6. Oh- How fun! I am so glad you did it! What a great post. I need that attitude reminder in my life.

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    1. Lots of fun! I need to remember, too.

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  7. I wish you posted this before the water park closed. I'll have to read it again when I get up the nerve to go on the Tornado Tube.

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  8. Totally awesome!! Good for you!!

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  9. Anonymous10/28/2012

    Wow, what an amazingly inspiring post!! Thanks for sharing!!

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  10. How fun! My family would love a zip line. Good job overcoming your fears. Very inspirational. :)

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