Facing the Tower
A number of years back, Joelle and I visited Mt Stirling in the Smokies. There is a 50 foot tall fire tower there and I had really wanted to climb it to take photos.
I tried, but could only get to about the 2nd flight of stairs before my fear of heights kicked in and kept me from going any further.
The rickety tower was blowing in the wind, it was cold and rainy so I suppose none of that really helped.
Years later, enter, North Rim Grand Canyon Forest. Kaibab National Forest to be exact.
My next stop.
In looking at the IOverlander app, I found yet another what seemed to be great spot. I headed up and checked it out. The spot was at the base of an 80 foot, still used Fire Tower.
“Climb at your own risk” said the sign at the bottom.
“Well”, I thought, “it’s about time”.
After years of working to beat back this fear of heights, using a technique in climbing heights I learned from a young man at Chimney Tops in 2016, I scaled to the top of the tower, while talking to Levi on the phone (using the headset).
The view from up there was really awesome, high above the trees, overlooking the Kaibab National Forest.
It’s actually quite simple. And I think it applies to a lot of life.
To avoid having the fear well up, you simple keep your eyes focused directly in front of you.
Study the steps, one step at a time. Don’t look up, don’t look around. Just focus on that next step, one at a time, forgetting the surroundings, when eventually, you find yourself at the last step. At which time, you can look around and see just how far you have come.
In life, I think we miss out because instead of focusing on the step in front of us, we look all around, fearing irrational ideas and thoughts. We let concocted fears ruin our ability to move ahead; stop us from really enjoying all of our life.
On this tower, were I to fall, it would only be down a short 10 or 12 step distance. There was fencing in place as well as railings making sure it would be almost impossible to fall over the side.
While a 10 step tumble on steel steps would hurt, it probably wouldn’t kill me.
The logic of the safety around me is thrown out the window when looking around. It’s like flying.
It’s logical and factual that you are in far greater danger driving your car each day than getting on a plane.
Yet, how many of us miss out on travel, on family, on bonding, on fulfillment because we are afraid to get on a plane?
The devils main task? Steal the joy in life. Take it all away using fear and attacking our faith.
He wins more often than not.
My trek to the tower was my way of flipping him off that day.
And it worked.
~rob out
