Lessons from the Tower of Terror

I hate feeling the feeling of anticipation.

You know, that feeling of waiting for something to happen?

It gets into your mind and then spreads through your entire nervous system and becomes physical.

Yuck!

Who would choose to feel this on purpose?

Not me!

Except for when I do.

A couple of weeks ago, I chose to wait in line for almost two hours to go on the Tower of Terror at Disney World.

Why?

Because I wanted to challenge myself to do something that is difficult for me. I also did not want my friend to go alone.

In order to do this, I had to figure out how to keep my mind and nervous system calm so I would not talk myself out of it or create a most miserable time waiting in line.

How did I do this?

First, I allowed myself to admit that I was feeling afraid.

Second, I told myself I didn’t know how the ride would go; I’ve never done it before.

Third, I noticed there were a number of people that love this ride, hence the long wait.

Fourth, Disney World is not going to create a ride that is unsafe.

Fifth, reminded myself that all I had to do was get on the ride, sit down, and do nothing except feel my feelings and sensations.

Sixth, I told myself I could worry about it after the ride, but not before.

Here’s what I learned from this experience.

By allowing myself to admit this was difficult for me, it became less difficult.

Experiencing all those emotions and sensations ahead of time only makes for a long miserable experience not only for me, but for others who are with me. It also makes the ride more intense than it really is.

I could have spent two hours worrying, but I didn’t. I just stayed present in each moment.

It wasn’t awful.

In fact, if the line hadn’t been so long, I’d have done it again.

Photo credit: Photo by Park Troopers on Unsplash