The abc's of #whyIwrite: adventure

Have you ever been on a ropes course? You know those obstacle courses made out of ropes and logs up, up in the air? I love them! I have had the opportunity to be a monkey on three different ones in three different countries. My third experience was in New Zealand. It was fun and nerve-wracking all at the same time. The picture below shows me finishing it off by repelling down the side of a drop off. 

@BethanyLigon (2006)

My second experience was in Austria. There were several challenging aspects to that one too, but the ending was my favorite part, ziplining across a small lake/big pond. With my shoes removed, my toes splashed across the water as I cruised through the air. 

My first ropes course, it by far, has been my most memorable experience. My heart raced the entire time as I maneuvered through the tree tops in Colorado. The way to get down was a more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge. Imagine this: standing on a platform about 50 feet up in the air. The goal is to jump off the platform and grab a hold of a swinging trapeze bar that is 5-6 feet out in front of you. If that wasn't freaky enough, you then had to let go and just fall, while trusting that the ropes course dude would use his skills in repelling to stop you before you hit the ground. It was certainly an adventurous thrill!

Here's why I like these adventurous high in the sky obstacle courses:

• It's communal - You can't do it alone. In fact, you are dependent on others to help you get from station to station and down safely. But more than that, the awesome experience of having others cheer you along the way and being able to do that for others makes these adventures a lot of fun.
• It's a safe risk - Yes, you could fall, but you're not going to hit the ground. You're harnessed in and connected to a series of ropes. But still, knowing that there is some small possibility that something unexpected could happen certainly gets my heart pumping and my legs shaking.
• It's out of the ordinary - Like I said, I've only done 3 in my whole entire life! And the last time, in New Zealand, was already 10 years ago! 

I think of writing a blog, especially one that focuses my attention on what God is teaching me, is a lot like the adventure of hanging on to dear life on a ropes course. 

• It's communal - It's my way of connecting to others. I know that those who know me well will be cheering me on. And for other writers, I can encourage and support them on their journeys too.
• It's a safe risk - These days it's a bit risky putting your ideas out there for others to judge. You never quite know how someone might respond. But it's a relatively low risk because in the case of this blog, people are very kind. And what's even more, is that I kinda think that God has my back.
• It's out of the ordinary - Blogging is a time where I can sit still and reflect on what message God is trying to teach me. It's not work, chores, or even leisure, which is how a majority of my time is spent. It's time set especially aside to get ideas out of my head and onto a screen.

So thanks for going on this adventure with me! 

Blessings to you!

Bethany