Kaleidoscope: Life through different lenses

Carpe Diem (Seizing the moment) -Paragliding in Pokhara

“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by…” — Marcus Aurelius

It is so interesting how, as we age, we become more philosophical and sentimental about time. It feels as though we hit that sweet spot in our life trajectory, and suddenly our minds are flooded with dreams, memories of past actions, and the what-ifs we wished we had boldly stepped into.

Time haunts and delights me for so many reasons. It is an ever-turning wheel that waits for no man; once you miss it, sometimes the opportunities never return. So, when the chance to visit Nepal on a budget holiday, with less-than-glamorous accommodations, came up, I said yes because I was going for the experience. I also said yes to paragliding. I craved the experience of life without the hindrance of fear. But saying yes to something means you actually have to do it, and although I knew what paragliding looked like, I could not conceive the mechanics behind the experience.

If you didn’t know, I will paraphrase from Google what I learned through my research about how to paraglide:

• Once you have been carefully secured in your harness and safety gear, your pilot will instruct you on what to do next.
• Once the above conditions have been met, your instructor will direct you to walk towards the edge of a slope or a hill.
• You will then walk off the hill or the cliff, and as soon as your legs leave the edge, you fall into a seated position in your secure harness to enjoy your flight.

The above description seemed simple, but the phrase walking off a cliff, haunted my mind and robbed me of a good night’s rest. I had barely celebrated my victory of zip-lining, just to discover that I had agreed to another airborne adventure. I remember spending hours the previous night reading about paragliding and watching countless videos, some informative and others terrifying. I devoured all the information about the successes and potential pitfalls of paragliding.

The following morning, with barely enough sleep, the bus ride to our paragliding destination offered little comfort. We had four acrophobic people in the vehicle: two women, one man and then me! One thing I have noticed about myself is that when I am afraid of something, I pull into a quiet space inside of myself to think and find calmness.

I have also learned that people’s energies can affect your own mental state. One would have assumed that being seated amongst fellow acrophobic people might have been comforting, but their fear confessions and overimaginative ideas unsettled my mental well-being. I was in such a state of anxiety that I chose the instructor, furthest from my group, to help still some fears, as my inner peace was hanging by a thread. My instructor was thorough in his directive, and I ate up every word he spoke. He pointed out the mistakes of a few participants who kept doing things that might have compromised their own and their instructors’ safety.

My stomach churned violently before the flight, and my legs shook from fear. Eventually, it was our turn. I did what I was told, walked off the cliff and sat. Although it was a ten-minute flight, it felt like I was up in that sky for twenty minutes. I tried to smile for the camera and show some excitement in the videos, but one thing I did not do much of was look down at the ground or agree to any acrobatics in the air. The dizzying effects of looking down were overwhelming. Finally, we returned to the ground. I collapsed in a seated position on the grass, satisfied that I had not vomited like a few customers around me.

For at least ten minutes, I could not move. My legs felt like jelly, and my stomach was very queasy. But I had done it, I did not pass up this opportunity to tick this experience off my bucket list.

You see, that is the interesting thing about fear, it can paralyse us into inaction. It can seep into your very core and hold your mind hostage, and sometimes rob you of many life experiences.

I remember once visiting a church (not my regular place of worship) and listening to a sermon that has always struck a chord in me. It was the pastor’s wife sharing her story of how the fear of public speaking almost robbed her of her destiny. She gave a simple testimony that, through prayer and meditation, she realised God wanted her to step out and preach, even though she was afraid. For many of her sermons, she stood at the pulpit with trembling legs, a racing heart, sweaty palms and a determination to overcome a fear that was holding her in bondage. This is how she won her victory.

As we navigate life, we learn that fear can be either a form of protection that keeps us safe or a hindrance to our progress. I now literally understand the term, taking a leap of faith. As people, we all need some kind of tangible truth that helps us stand firm in our convictions, face fear, and grit our teeth to follow our dreams. For me personally, that foundation is from the verse, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to bless you and give you hope and a good future.” No matter where I am or what season in life I face, this scripture has been my source of hope and mindful peace. As you read further in the scripture, it speaks about seeking the lord with all your heart and mind and finding him because he makes himself visible for you. I reflect on this scripture because there have been seasons in my life where the embers of hope have burned low due to prolonged waiting or an unanswered prayer. This verse has been my reminder that God is faithful no matter the season. Life is for living, if you can, and when you are ready, don’t allow fear to rob you of an experience you might look back on with some regret. Cape diem, seize the day!