Sometimes life picks weird ways to teach you lessons. When I took on a stressful job a few years ago, I decided I needed to find a way to let some steam off, so I started walking in the mornings on a treadmill. Everything was fine until my fit friends (well-meaning, but a little too enthusiastic about fitness) found out and staged an intervention – it turns out my shoes were wrong, my approach was bad, and treadmills were an abomination. So, I took up hiking. Now, I admit it was more fun to be outside than in a smelly gym, but my friends weren’t done – my shoes are wrong again, I was walking too slowly, and I needed to add some incline to my hikes
So, I headed out to the White Tanks to up my game. My first time up the Mesquite Canyon Trail, I decided my hiking companion needed to turn back; I don’t think he really did, but he wisely didn’t argue. The next time, I convinced my girlfriends they should go on ahead since I was slowing them down. The third time, I had met my match; I was hiking with my friend Annie and one of the “fit bunch”, Fiona. We got much further up than I ever had, and suddenly I could see the last part trail, snaking its way up a nearly vertical cliff. Every fiber of my being said, ‘Oh, hell no!!!’ So, I said I thought I’d wait for them. Fiona shook her head. I clarified, “I can’t make it up there; I’m staying here.” Fiona said, “No.” Just that, “No.”
Frankly, I’m a bit scared of Fiona; she’s raising twins so you know she’s tough. So, I kept going. In the picture, that’s me in the green with the goofy smile – AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. I mean, it certainly wasn’t Everest, but it was way more than I thought I could do. The best part was I learned a valuable tip for dealing with my storytelling issues.
Sometimes, I think that a story is too challenging or that I won’t be able to do it justice. When my mind starts rattling along with all the reasons why it won’t work, I try to remember to say, “No.” Coolly and firmly, just like Fiona. No reasoning with myself or considering options. Just, “No.” Then, I can go on and tell stories that I thought were beyond me or tackle performances I would have shied away from. One “No” can work wonders!
(The image at the top shows Susan with her friends Fiona and Annie)
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