Recently, on a Friday afternoon, I had an experience which challenged my fears and comfort level. I went out sailing in 20-30 knots of wind, with 6 - 8 foot swells, in a very, very narrow boat only 41 feet long. I have five experienced crew with me. And I was nervous.Believe you me, it is an intimidating experience when a little sailboat is planing at over 20 knots with gusts and crazy waves. You don't have a lot of opportunity to think things through or to hesitate - a five degree wrong move and....WIPEOUT! In the cold water and sloppy big waves, that could mean "man overboard" with the boat temporarily out of control. (
Watch the experience
.)I am learning to skipper a boat under these conditions, where you have to run on "feel" and not so much on thinking things through. I have lots to learn and practice, but whoo hoo! What a ride!In doing this, I faced rational fear and was out of my comfort zone. It took 48 hours for me to come down from that exhilaration. It changes you. I feel proud of myself; I know I'm getting better and better. Facing fears and limitations, while scary, leads to such acceleration in joy of life and a growing self-confidence, that it is more than worth the scary moments.As I keep nagging at you folks, things are scary until they become
familiar
. Practice and forcing yourself to face the experience time and again gives you
familiarity
which gives you confidence, and a natural, free, and legal "high."
