Enjoying “The Other Side of Life!”

In order to experience the experiment of life, we must be willing to overcome our fears!  Yesterday, my 25 year old daughter asked me if she could plan a date with me.  “I want to show you the other side of life!” She said.  I was hesitant at first, wondering where she might take me.  We started out the morning with a wonderful walk.  Later, in the afternoon, she picked me up and took me to a wonderful salad bar.

After lunch, she pulled out swimsuits, shorts and water shoes and said, “C’mon Mom, let’s go change in the bathroom!”  I was skeptical at first, not knowing where she was taking me.  I wasn’t necessarily in the mood for swimming, didn’t want to get my hair wet, etc.

Up the hill we drove, to the canyon.  “Do you know where I am taking you?” she said cheerfully.  “No… I don’t…” I replied, wondering how long this little adventure was going to take.

Soon, there was a sign which read, “High Canyon Rafting”.  I could see the river from along the highway.  I had passed the river on various ocassions over the past twenty-something years, but, I had never “experienced the experiment” of playing in it!

Soon, we were equipped with life jackets, baseball caps (to shelter us from the sun) and now she was snapping pictures of my face, covered in the false pretense of cheerfulness, masking my fear of the experience awaiting me.

I noticed the others who were just pulling in from their ”experience”.  All looked happy and seemed glad they had participated.  I was still a bit concerned, I must admit.

Soon, we embarked our two man khayak and began heading down the six mile descent through the most beautiful landscape!  As I saw my feet dangling over the little bow of the khayak, I reminsed about how my dad used to take us sailing every Saturday, and how I would sit on the bow, my feet yearning to dangle in the water!

This time, I could let them be submerged up to my knees if I wanted to.  The fear left me completely as soon as I connected my happy childhood memory with the present moment.  I exchanged the scene of ocean waves and endless water for the narrower pathway and small waves surounding me. 

Soon, I was singing at the top of my lungs, the ”sailing songs” of my childhood!  I loved the entire ride!  Ashley, my recreational therapist, was darling as she called out her cheery commands from the backseat of the khayak!

Just recently, I have been praying for an outdoor activity that I can love, that feels safe and that I can look forwad to doing often!  I want to “experience the experiment” of living life in the place where God has arranged for me to live!  Right here in Utah!  The canyon is literally up the street about 15 miles from my home!

It was a wonderful day, experiencing the joy of nature, of the movement of my arms, of playing with my daughter, of singing down the six mile journey, of dangling my feet in the water, of feeling alive and of being refreshed from all the responsiblities of being a single mother-provider!

This morning, I woke up and said, “Ashley…wanna go for a walk?!”  It only took two positive experiences yesterday to remind me the joys of walking and now, the new joy of khayaking!  I want to do it again!!!!

I am so grateful I trusted Ashley and let her show me “the other side of life”!  Who is joy-coaching who?

Karyn Grant
The Joy Coach
www.cherishingplace.com