I'm Old Enough to Know Better

As I get older, I realize that I don't take as many risks. I'm old enough to know better. That kept going through my mind as I watched the slightly raging water rush by me as I clung to a rock near the shore at Pedernales Falls. It's not a wide river - in fact it might be more the size of a creek. Still, it's deep and wide enough to carry me down river quite fast. Neal had let himself go and rode down stream but he came back with bruises and a sour look on his face. But something about that woosh of the water made me want to try it. To carry me away. Be bold, I told myself. Let the water carry you and trust your abilities. Each time someone went past, I would tell myself that this was it. I would do it now. But now came and went and I clung a little tighter to that rock.

I want to do more adventurous things in my life. I want to start rock climbing again. I want to go scuba diving. I want to kayak the Glacier Bay National Park. But all of these things come with some risk and if I can't trust myself with this little rush of water then how will I ever make it up a mountain? By shear accident, I will. I took a little move towards the water, edging my fingers off the rock but still able to grasp. But the water was faster than I realized and it swept me away and it was so damn amazing! Just let yourself go...