Climbing to a Glorious Day

Fear clutched my mind and heart. I couldn't imagine going up, and I didn't believe I could go down. I really had gotten myself into a predicament. I had chosen to go to the ropes course with my girlfriend, and even though my efforts to act brave before the actual climbing kept my mind at ease, I knew climbing to the top of the 50 foot wooden behemoth of a tower was out of the question. In my mind it wasn't possible. Previous to the climbing I had set a goal to get to a platform about 10 feet from the top, but as I clutched the hand holds on the diagonally rising wooden beam my feeble goal seemed out of reach. Defeated I climbed down to a lower platform halfway between the ground and my goal I looked at my girlfriend with vanquished eyes. All I saw in her face was encouragement and hope. How could I let a pretty face like that down? A new strength surged within me. Maybe I could climb higher. A thought, or maybe a seed of faith? With this new strength I started up the wooden beam again. I learned from my last attempt that looking down is not a good idea because it made me even more scared. I looked forward with resolve. "Just keep looking forward," the thought resounded in my mind. I climbed higher one hand hold at a time and got stuck in the same place partly out of fear, and partly out of not knowing where to put my feet to go higher. "Where is a foot hold!?" I yelled down.
"Put your left foot where your right foot is, and put your left foot on the foot hold a little higher up!" They yelled back. They were right, but it was easier said than done. With much more mental effort than physical I carefully did as they suggested and hoisted myself higher. With shouts of encouragement from my girlfriend, and the perspective of moving forward I continued on until I reached my goal. I sat exhausted on the small platform with my legs hanging off the edge. I stood heavy, but relieved breaths. I had done it! "You're almost there," shouted my girlfriend, "just a little bit farther." She was right. I only had 10 feet to go to reach the top of the tower. I might be able to do that. I had already come this far, why not go the extra mile (or in this case 10 feet). Putting the foot of faith forward I climbed the rope ladder that lead to the top. As I stood on the top of the tower I looked around amazed not by the stunning view, but by the incredible feat I had just accomplished. Accomplished is a good word because that is how I felt. Never had I been this high, and I overcame a previous fear. Not only was my self-esteem boosted, but the lessons I learned through the experience are priceless, and applicable. This was a glorious day in the life of Jeffrey Beck. I challenge you to have glorious days.