Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Brooklyn Bridge


Victory is SWEET!

Whenever I have a victory, I make some time to celebrate it. Recently, I completed a very difficult, often overwhelming project that took two years to finish. Achieving my goal required a focus, faith, patience, and stamina that was way out of my comfort zone. It's that internal stretch that's my victory. That's what I celebrate: moving the boundaries of my comfort zone. That movement increases my confidence so that when doors to new opportunities open, I have the guts to walk through them.

My "victory dance" usually includes some fun stuff with those who helped me along. We get together for some good cheer, I usually make a toast with my favorite spirit and we enjoy high fives all around. I finish my celebration with a walk across a bridge. Yes, that's right, a bridge. And, the bigger the victory, the bigger the bridge.

My victory walk across a bridge does two things for me. First, it symbolizes leaving the old, crossing over something big, and going to a new place. Secondly, since heights are a bit of challenge for me, it anchors my belief that I am stronger than any fear or challenge.

So, to celebrate this latest victory, I chose the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. In early October, on a warm and sunny, perfect-weather-for-bridge-walking Saturday, I made the two-hour drive to Manhattan so I could anchor in my latest victory.

If you’ve ever been there or seen photos, you know how amazing it is! It’s one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States, a National Historic Landmark that rises 135 feet above the water. Three towering stone arches connect the swag cables that support the mile-plus span that connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. Against the backdrop of skyscrapers, the bridge is a dramatic part of the New York skyline.

That day, when I got to the foot of the bridge on the Manhattan side, there it was, looming before me. For a moment, I watched the late morning crowd travel the boardwalk that's suspended high above and between the ease and west auto lanes. A little nervous but in true Victorious Woman style, I practically marched from Manhattan to Brooklyn. As I did, I felt confident and strong.

About two-thirds along, for some strange reason, I made the mistake of looking down. There, between the wooden planks of the walkway, I saw nothing but water beneath me…and it’s a long, long way down. I stopped in a panic and, at first, I got a little dizzy. Then I got control of my mind…of my SELF. Determined, I put one foot in front of the other, looked up and forward, and I finished my walk to Brooklyn…and then crossed it back to return to Manhattan.

When I thought about it later, I realized that’s how life is too. Sometimes we make an attempt at victory, but might get a little scared or maybe a bit overwhelmed or dizzy. While a task surely can be daunting, I’ve learned (and maybe you have too) that when we get really focused on the goal and the good that’s ahead, something inside us rallies and helps us do that one thing we really didn’t think was possible. And that's what makes a victory so sweet!

What you do when you’ve overcome challenges and pushed past your fears so you can become an expanded version of your already wonderful SELF? I’d love to hear how you celebrate victory! Send your idea to info@victoriouswoman.com and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a copy of my book, Victorious Woman, Shaping Life’s Challenges into Personal Victories.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Victoriously,
Annmarie