Little by little, together we all can GROW¡.
LETTING GO OF FEAR!
When I first started supporting the GROW¡ Mentorship Program. A mound of dread and uncertainties loomed over me. How could I help leaders who were already in charge of their organizations? Countless questions arose in my head with each passing day about the kind of impact I would have or whether my contribution would be remembered.
Taking on this challenge may have been the best thing I could have done for my own personal growth. I've developed with the GROWers, and I believe that this process began when someone took a chance on me and introduced me to the GROW¡ community. You have my undying gratitude.
After a year of GROW¡, we just had our first graduation ceremony.
At the beginning of the program, participants were asked to identify their greatest fears and the things they felt they could never do. What was standing in the way of their success. Concerns about facing and conquering their fears ranked highest among these worries. As the last event of the GROW¡ Mentorship Program, GROWers decided to take part in a bungee jumping exercise. According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, bungee jumping consists of a person jumping from a very high place while attached to a very long elastic cord. The launch pad is typically constructed atop a tall manmade structure, such as a skyscraper or crane, a bridge across a steep ravine, or a cliff.
To my great delight and some apprehension, seven individuals embarked on a mission to speak for the populace. While some people remained as focused on the task at hand as they had been on day one, others continued to struggle with doubt and anxiety.
We watched as they faced their fears one by one. After being buckled in and having their gear checked over, they were directed to the edge. The countdown started, and at the signal, everyone jumped.
One of them had to draw on her innermost reserves of strength to make the leap. Even a view of the calm Nile couldn't persuade her to jump in. At that point, though, she became aware of distant chanting, and as the level rose, she could make out her co-workers’ cheers and assurances that she could complete the task at hand. The crowd of onlookers cheered her on as she made the plunge, and it seemed as if she flew through the air like a superhero. Her thoughts were screaming silently as she plummeted toward what felt like certain death, the wind lashing her face harder than anything she had ever experienced. As the bungee slowed, the fear evaporated. As she bounced and soaked in the stunning scenery and sounds of the wind and the Nile, she felt lighter and more at ease.
Another GROWer who made the transition said, ‘it was mind-blowing but ultimately rewarding.’
“It's as though your worries disappear as you take a running start and dive headfirst into the void of space.” Another person said she'd never felt more independent and prepared to take on the world. As they each took that leap, we couldn't help but be proud of how far they'd come, even though the adrenaline rush caused a wide range of emotions, including worry, fear of the unknown, and uncertainty.
“No matter how full the river is, it still wants to grow.” ~ Congolese Proverb
By Treasure Layola