The water came crashing down all around us. I peered up the falls. We needed to climb to the top. I could not even see that far. Suddenly, my mind filled with doubt. Was climbing the Dunn River Falls in Jamaica a good idea? It seemed like it when Kim and I signed up for this excursion during our Christmas vacation to Jamaica in 2018. I could tell Kim was wondering the same thing. We both shrugged our shoulders and started to climb. It was going to be an incredible adventure.
The falls are somewhat challenging to climb.
The Dunn’s River Falls is a famous waterfall near Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and a major Caribbean tourist attraction receiving thousands of visitors yearly. Simply put, the falls are beautiful. When Kim and I saw pictures of the falls, we decided to go. Like many visitors, we did not know what to expect. The reality is that you start at the bottom and climb your way to the top. It is about a 200-foot climb. Our guide slowly took us up the falls and ensured our group of 20 tourists linked arms to stay safe as we ascended.
Why I wrote this billboard
I wrote this billboard because I was truly surprised by others who climbed the falls and made it. About halfway up, we came across what I will kindly describe as a rather rotund woman. OK, no BS. She was big…really big. I was shocked to see that she was climbing the falls. How in the world was she going to make it to the top? The reality is that she did. Here is what I learned from watching this brave woman climb the falls.
Don’t be afraid to climb.
First and foremost, I give this woman credit for having the guts to climb the falls. It was clear that she was not afraid. She easily could have watched from the sidelines while others made the trek to the top. It is puzzling how much fear can hold us back in life. Not her, she got after it. I was both impressed and inspired by her courage. I bet others were, as well. After all, I thought, if she can reach the top, so can I.
In order to climb up I must first climb out of my fear of climbing.
Craig D Lounsbrough
Climb slowly – one step at a time.
One thing I noticed is that she took her time. There was no need to rush. She moved slowly, one step at a time, and took plenty of breaks along the way. It made me wonder: How often do I fail at something because I am in too much of a rush? The irony was that all of us should have moved slowly and enjoyed the surroundings. The Dunn River Falls are like nothing else I have witnessed in the world. It is a truly amazing place.
Get your friends to help you climb.
I am not going to lie. She needed a fair amount of help from her friends. Some parts of the falls are steep, slippery, or tricky to navigate. No problem for her. She would turn to her friends and ask for help. Of course, they did everything they could to make sure she could keep climbing. That is what good friends do. They help you climb to new heights.
How I incorporated this billboard into my life
After witnessing this woman climb the falls successfully, I thought about what fears are holding me back. I pondered my pace as I lived my life. The reality is that I move way too fast at times. I decided to become more intentional and go at a slower pace. Lastly, I rely more on my friends for help. They are critical to my success or failure. After all, they want to help, like I want to help them. It is what friends do for each other.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends, Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends, Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends.
The Beatles
What about you?
Are you able to climb the falls? Is fear holding you back, or are you getting after it? Are you moving at the proper pace, or are you rushing through life? Do you ask your friends for help? You should. And offer assistance to them when asked. It will make a massive difference in your life.
Anyone can climb the falls. You just need to try and have a few friends to help in the tough places.
Dad