Facing Fears

This post was originally written June 29, 2013 and edited March 09, 2021.

“Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.” –W. Clement Stone

Last week a group of friends and I went to Sächsischer Schweiz (Saxon Switzerland). This is a natural park approximately 45 minute train ride away from Dresden toward the Czech Republic Border. We hiked three mountains that day. One to Königstein Festung (Fortress), another to The Barbarine at Pfaffenstein, and the final one to Basteibrücker (bridge).

When we reached the top of Bastei, there was an area you could enter to walk across a few metal-grate bridges to get a better view of the area. I took a peak at the bridges and right away, clammed up. There was no way I was going over those grates– my fear of heights instantly kicked in.

A few nights before we went hiking, František, from the Czech Republic, was telling me how important eye contact is when shaking hands, when toasting, etc. in the Czech Republic.

As I was standing there frozen wanting to see what was on the other side thinking, “Alex, move your feet, you are being irrational,” František said to me, “Alex, eye contact, remember?” I made it across the first grated bridge with František’s eye contact. The next two bridges were over a gorge, so with Dustin and František’s guidance I made it across the bridges with my eyes closed.

With the help of František and Dustin, I faced my fears. I made it across those bridges (although not in style) with my eyes closed, shuffling feet, and shaking legs. Because of my friends I was able to not only face my fear of heights, but I was able to see this…

That day, I pushed aside my fear in order to see the beauty on the other side. The experience has taken me beyond a bridge over gorge. By taking a risks, facing my fears, and doing so with help, I learned I am unstoppable. There may be pain, disappointment, and sadness, but there is also a chance to witness the beauty of the experience, the journey, and the destination.