Have you ever been held back by your own fear, that feeling of panic circulating through your head focusing on all the things that could go wrong? On one regular, frigid winter Sunday, I eagerly sit on the clamorous snow-covered ski lift, oblivious that this appalling feeling of fear would soon flood into me.

I stand at the top of a Black diamond trail at Jiminy peak, peering over the edge of the steep hill; the snow is swirling around me. My stomach churns just looking at it. I know my dad and sister are counting on me to try this. The pressure builds up, but I try to think optimistically. I leniently tell myself to try it. The wind briskly howls almost like it's telling me to go.

I take a deep breath and start to move steadily onto the trail, pushing my poles into the snow.  I start to make slow wide turns, trying to keep myself controlled. Lips trembling, legs shaking, I move down the thick snow, scraping my skis against the icy layer on top, vigilant of every move I make.

I feel myself starting to lose balance. I brace myself for the fall I know is coming. My snow-dusted skis clank against each other as I come tumbling down. I helplessly slip down part of the hill. I want to cry. The snow covers me like a blanket as I lie there, and the trees sway around me. I set my skis up so they are parallel and get back up, determined to continue trying.  This wasn’t as bad as I thought.

When I get to the bottom of the treacherous hill, my heart slows, and I let go of the breath I have been holding tensely in my body. “I did it!” I exclaim with enthusiasm, smiling at my dad and my sister. I think to myself, I just did that. I faced my fear.

I took a risk. I learned that even if you are scared to do something, you should take the opportunity and push yourself out of your comfort zone. If you live your whole life being afraid of something, you may never get the chance to learn something new, find a hobby, and for the most part, have fun. Taking risks helps you live your life to the fullest.

 

 

 

 

-Kara W.