Life: So scary but SO satisfying!
I can’t stop thinking of this beautiful metaphor for life, that played out before me in a skatepark. A father showed up with two boys on scooters. It was clear that this was their first time at this park, since at first all they could do is look at it from the sidelines, wide-eyed with terror. The little one, maybe 6 years old, declared “whoah, this looks really scary!” The older one (maybe 8) said nothing, but the fear plastered on his face said it all!
I stopped paying them any attention and focused on my own son for a long while, until I noticed that the little one was in the center of the park, attempting the same jumps that Ted was doing. The boy had a gigantic grin of pure joy plastered across his face, as he gained confidence and speed with repetition; doing the same circle, over and over again, but each time a little bit faster, a little more daring. I looked around the park wondering where his older brother was…he was still on the outer boundaries, watching his brother in awe, but too scared to plunge in himself. The little brother tried to encourage him to join in, saying “don’t worry, it’s completely safe. This is not meant to hurt us!” Trusting his own assessment, again the little guy went barreling down the drop, with even greater confidence and speed, this time unable to contain his pure joy “THIS IS SOOO SCARY, BUT SOOOO SATISFYING!!!” he yelled while zipping past us. Everyone at the park laughed hard! His joy was contagious, and his summary of the experience so spot on.
Yes, to play in life feels scary and you have to take a chance! This little kid trusted himself, trusted his environment, followed his bliss into bumpy territory and literally leaned into the drop. He let himself be fully in the moment, savouring the thrill of a little fear with a lot of joy. We could all benefit from following his example. Instead, most of us are like his brother: circling the dream from the outside, focusing on the fear, dreading the risk, never daring, and never feeling that thrill of conquest.
“SO SCARY BUT SO SATISFYING!” is the perfect slogan for a life fueled by joy, and lived with intention outside your comfort zone. It speaks to a balance we don’t talk about enough: that you can own your fears, do it anyway, and still experience pure joy, in the presence of fear. Thriving is not about an absence of fear – you just take it with you in your pocket as you boldly dare into the beautiful unknown. Yes, living life wholeheartedly is an extreme sport: a helmet and pads are strongly recommended for the trips and falls that are bound to happen. But then the thrill goes through your spine and you can’t help but feel “this is so scary, but so satisfying!” And you want to do it all over again. When was the last time in your life that you felt that thrill?
