Getting back up is not easy, at all. Even with the help of using an extension ladder does not make it easier. It’s painful, the heights are scary, and how do you get off the ladder once you’re up there at the top, there’s nothing to hang on to. What if you’re afraid of heights?
If any of these factors come into your mind, the first thing that happens, you freeze … I remember when I was 30, not too long ago … I decided to paint the window frames and facia of the back of the brick house I was living in at the time, which was 3 stories tall, in the back. Not thinking anything of it, I scaled up the super long extension ladder to the top. I was adjusting the paint brush and the can of paint when I caught a glimpse down at the cement driveway below … I froze and was paralyzed in complete fear.
When you are frozen in fear, this is most likely the time there would not be a good ending because you’re going to get hurt. It’s when the fight or flight comes over you and without thinking, you are going to instantly make the wrong move. This is not a good feeling and something has to happen quick.
For me, I had to immediatley get in control, calm myself down and think somehow clearly. I made myself slow down my breathing, look straight ahead (which was a brickwall an inch or less from my nose, keep my eyes open and keep telling my self everything was fine … like hell it was, I’m 3 stories up scared to death! I thought, okay I’ll get down slowly and someone else can do this, no wait, there isn’t anyone else, no I’ll hire someone, no I’ll be fine. Then after a lengthy arguement with myself, I made up my mind I had to do it myself now, because I’m not coming back up here again. Just take my time, hang on, breathe slow and concentrate on painting. As I did those things, I eventually did get it done and hugged that ladder so tight in the process. I finally got down one step at a time without looking down and when I reached the ground, I sat on the ground for about 30 minutes until the nausea, shaking and fear in my heart slowed down. In fact, as I sit here now typing this true story, my palms are wet, my hands are shaking and the nausea has been right there and I’m sweating! Phew!
The problem with having a panic attack, you have to immediately take control of your mind and body, take slow deep breaths and slow down your breathing. Keep telling yourself you are going to be fine, it’s okay just stay in control and be mindful of every move you make and be sure those moves are made consciously and slowly. It’s a tough thing to do because you really can’t move and if things don’t change in the next second you’ll freak out So stay in complete control.
Fear of heights, fear of the unknown, fear of moving forward or backward, fear of moving from your safeplace, fear of making a mistake, fear of not moving. You have yourself convinced of not being able to ‘do it’.
Yes, actually you can … You can do anything you set you mind to, yes anything. It’s called “mindset”, believing in your mind that you can and you will do it. No this is not a bunch of garbage, it’s real.
Your mind is an incredible organ in your body and it directs you all day long. Your mind knows no fear when you are born, it’s slate is clean and all of your habits, beliefs, fears, positives, negatives are learned behaviors. Oh yes it’s true. Why do little babies crawl and walk right into danger? They know no fear, they don’t know any better they have not begun their learned behavior yet.
As we get older in childhood and teenage years we get grilled into our learned behavior and beliefs; that’s bad for you, you won’t like that, don’t talk to them, they’re bad stay away from them, don’t eat that it’ll make you sick, get down from that tree you’ll fall …
Learned behavior starts from someone elses opinions or fears and turns into your learned behavior. As adults, you have the undaunting task of sifting through all of your learned behavior to decide objectively what’s right and wrong. You have to figure out what you can and can’t do although, most people don’t. Truthfully, you can do anything you put your mind to.
Actually, you can … linda frame
