Ever stand on the edge of a new endeavor waiting to take the first step?
The nervous jitters set in. The butterflies in the stomach make you want to rush to the bathroom for a quick reprieve, even though you don't have to actually pee.
The complete awkwardness of doing something new for the first time. What if it goes bad? What if no one understands me? What will they think?
The best part about rock climbing is that it's you vs yourself. The only person who can take the first step is you.
Your mind races.
What if I fall?
What if I'm not strong enough to get up the rock?
My personal favorite: I have a fear of heights, so I can't do this.
Me: So do I! I blur my periphery. Then, with a patient smile that glares light so bright it’s almost blinding, what's your next excuse?
Fear of the unknown is real. Fear of failure is real. Old memories can haunt us. Over-analyzing outcomes. Ever met an engineer or scientist?
Old emotions lurk in the corner. A painful wound from breaking your arm while bicycling as a kid. The painful rejection was the last time you attempted something new.
A rock climber can stand at the base of the climb, reviewing all these past events and emotions, and never leave the ground. The route does not open through more discussion. The route opens when you commit to the first hold.
Purify the old fear, the old stories, the old emotional residue.
Ready for something new? A new job? A new relationship? A fun social club? The only way to begin is with the first step. It’s time to stop talking about what you want and start taking steps to bring it into fruition.
Ask yourself, Where is the past still defining the present? What action will you no longer postpone?
There comes a point when clarity is no longer about talking. It is about action. Take a deep breath and initiate the first step.
Abundance arrives in the step you are avoiding. After the awkward first step, the universe opens the path for the next step.
© 2026. Lora Lapiz. All Rights Reserved.
