Abs not required

In Swaziland, after a long day of white water rafting, our guides brought us into the cliffs to go abseiling. I was still in shock that I made it through the rapids without falling into the river, which gave me a false sense confidence going into this next adrenalin filled activity. I watched a few people go first, which led to an increased internal amount of fear as well as an external leg shake.

I am a pessimist. I always have been and if I am being honest, I most likely always will be. The moment that I stepped up on the rock and was harnessed in, I thought of all the possible things that could go wrong. The first possibility was that I could lose my footing and slam my face into the rock, ultimately chipping all of my teeth. After suffering through five years of braces, I can't help but panic when it comes to my teeth. Another possibility was that when I sat back into the harness it would snap and I would fall into the raging river beneath. I was basically as skilled as Michael Phelps when I swam butterfly for the Floral Park Pirate's swim team back in the day, but it has been so long that I honestly don't think I would be able to fight the current.

Despite the physical ailments I could endure, I feel that the worst part if something were to happen would be that I decided to dress up as a life size blueberry for the day. I could just imagine the news headline, "Sully from Monster's Inc. doppelgänger gets Squished in Abseiling Accident. "

Here is a recollection of the thoughts racing around my mind throughout the descent down the cliff:

*looks down at right hand holding rope* "Wow, ok. I have to hold all my weight in my right hand. I have never trusted myself less than in this moment. 

                     

"This guy better stop giving me a thumbs up. Do you honestly think that I feel better because of it? I got a finger for you too and if I didn't have to hold this rope you would understand how I feel."

   

"I can only imagine what I look like to everyone on top of the cliff right now. I feel like I am serving legs for days with a face of slight constipation. "

                            

"Someone better grab my blueberry cake before my arms give out."

    

Luckily, I made it to the bottom of the cliff where I was then required to side step my way to safety. The final ledge was about half a foot and the guides referred to the part of the cliff as the Jesus Wall. At this point, there was no cord hooking me to 'Jesus', only the sweaty grip of my hands. I have never had as much faith in my life as I did in that moment. 

Sincerely, 

Stephen