Teh Chad

I’m running into a lot of people who are feeling overwhelmed with different things. The bulk of frustration, I would say, has to do with learning technology.

I grew up with computers. When my brother was born, my dad said to my mom “They WILL know the computer! It’s the future!” As we now know, he was right. I didn’t have many friends growing up. Up until high school, I had 1 good friend – Lucy – my computer. So, you could say that it’s my nature to be in technology.

One of my agents asked me the other day how I got to be “SO TECHIE.” After laughing for a second and answering that I didn’t think I was, I thought about it. Now, I’d say that I’m just curious about technologies in general.

How would a politician become President? I’d guess that they love to talk about governments. I’d guess that they know how each and every government on earth works. I’d guess they know how to get elected to city council and the state senate, sherriff and governor. I’d guess that they talk about it every chance they get. I’d bet you that they love watching the “talking heads” on TV and maybe they’ve been one of them at some point.

The point is, nobody gets good at something without putting a lot of time into looking at it, talking about it, and doing it. Professionals spend so much of their time (free or not) thinking about and beating on their craft.

I’ve noticed more than a couple of posts in my facebook feed today regarding a very negative event that happened ten years ago.

The horrible day that is now known as September 11th, 2001 is seemingly turning into a national holiday. On that day, many many people were killed.

I’d like to take a step back for a moment.

We are all human. We feel things. We do our best in life, whatever the cards deal us.

A few years ago, a couple of world leaders asked us to join a war. Then, another country attacked us and it was then that we joined. Hundreds of thousands of our boys died on the other sides of each pond.

Our President weighed a very pivotal decision. During that moment, he asked the question – How does one weigh human life? How do you say that one person is more important or worth more than another? How is the 100,000 people in this city worth more than that city?

That isn’t the only time we’ve been involved in wars. It’s also not the only time many people have been murdered. Sadly, I’m sure that it will not be the last either.

I know a guy in the military service right now. He actually had the joy of working a crazy long shift on his birthday.

My dad served in “the service” many years ago as well. When I hear about the guys who went in after Bin Laden, I think of my dad’s group. I wonder how their day is going. I wonder who they have lost. And I know that their story will never see the light of day.

We are all human and we are all mortal. We face it each in our own way.

Ten years ago, many of us woke up one morning to many more people leaving this life. And today, on an anniversary, we think back. I’d encourage you to think about the rest of the people who are passing on as well.

I had the privilege of teaching a truly amazing hobby for about 8 years. Rock climbing!

People have this “fear” of falling. Hah! Justified or not, it can keep them from enjoying this sport.

Now, I love climbing and I don’t see that changing. However, what I love more is watching someone face that fear. The harder the fight, the more rewarding it is to see it. This is also why I enjoyed teaching teenagers more than adults. Adults are programmed to hide their emotions. Kids wear their heart on their sleeve.

Say we have an adult and a kid. Both are working with their best friends of roughly the same age and size. Both face the same fear, but each faces it in a different way.

The adult will hear what you tell them. “Keep your hips into the wall.” “Use your feet.” And then… “Trust the rope and your belayer.” They will use their head and force themselves to do what you tell them to do.

Kids on the other hand…! Kids are not afraid to show you that they are unhappy. After gripping the rock or wall holds, their arms and legs build up with lactic acid. Their appendages then proceed to shake and eventually fail. They freak out and cry and holler and scream even though they aren’t moving! (And their belay partner, usually their best friend, has the rope.)

The thing is, they all must overcome this fear. Let’s make this a little more personal for a second. Step back.

Think of your friends. Who do you trust? I mean really. Who do you REALLY trust? If you’re anything like me, that list is not very long if it’s even a list at all. In who’s hands would you entrust your life?

Once past that, who in their right mind would answer yes to hang off of a wall with you and trust you with their life?

Going back to our teaching situation to finish… Adults often hide their emotion while kids will make you their hero in a second!

One of my favorite times in the class is when the first few climbers are coming down. They have faced their fear! When they touch down, their face is a MILE WIDE! It is fantastic.

So get out and do it! You’ll feel amazing when you get over your fear!