Courage Pledge Follow Up

18th July 2012  "Courage Pledge Follow Up"


So I challenged all of you, my readers, to be Courageous a little over two weeks ago (see it here).  How is it going readers?  Any fun stories?  I've got one:  


I went out for a run last night and by run I usually mean a Parkour run.  Here's a short YouTube clip of a what a daily training session might look like: 

Unlike a lot of Parkour videos out there, which feature an athlete's best abilities & skills, this one is a little more relaxed, a little more "everyday".  Thank you Parkour Generations crew. 


Anyway, I'm out for a run through an area I'm pretty familiar with when  I just so happen see a new combination I've never thought about doing before; & of course I have to try it!  It's a beautiful combination: from a run, I jump off of a wooden bench to land on top of a wall.  The wall is about neck height on me and about 6-7 feet from the bench.  In between the bench & the wall is a massive bush.  If I don't make it's gonna be a nasty mess to get out of.  But no problem, "I've got this!"


"Oo, the bench is a little shaky, creaky. . . 
No Problem, I'm good . . ."


<5-minutes later>


"I've got this. . . " thinking to myself how much the bush behind the bench looks like my spiky doom.


<5 more minutes>


"Um . . ." I realize I'm checking the time, looking around, thinking about other things. "Come on Logan!"  Back on track now, I force myself to work through a small jump, just to get moving.  

I've heard it said, Action Cures Fear & standing around, thinking about how things can go wrong definitely ensures failure.


A minute later I work up to attempting the jump with out a run, standing on the back of the bench.  (Because somehow jumping from a stand still, where the lack of momentum makes it harder, is less scary then jumping from a run.) Well I stick the jump no problem!  A minute later I'm accomplishing the jump, with a run, like it was nothing.  Afterwards I'm feeling great for accomplishing!  I'm sure that the next time I go to that place the jump will be like nothing.


Isn't it crazy what little things get in our way?  I think of myself as being pretty strong willed & fearless.  Yet, when I come up against an uncomfortable &/or scary situation I'm amazed at how easily I get caught up in what "could happen" but probably won't happen.  It's kinda sad how often I have to discipline my mind through these little moments.  

Come to think of it, I have to work on choosing Courage daily.  We all do.  I recently heard a minister say: "Fear is not the truth. It's just the truth of how I feel." Little daily decisions define us.  Will I be crippled by my feelings or conquer my fear?


So, Anyone else have a triumph to share?