Climber: that's you... Will you face life and it's challenges and keep moving or will you freeze, clinging to the rock, paralyzed by fear?
The Rock or Cliff: Your life including the constant challenges you face as you work toward your goals.
Check: Once the climber is all tied into the harness someone else double checks it all. Obviously it is safer to move thru life and it's challenges with someone watching your back. This
check could be a trusted friend, companion, or spouse.
check could be a trusted friend, companion, or spouse.Climbing shoes: These things have incredible grip! Once I realized that, I trusted the shoes to hold me, even on nearly vertical surfaces. Having the proper equipment like shoes, ropes, and harnesses is like having the tools you need to navigate your choices. This can vary depending on the goal. If your perspective is spiritual it is scriptures, prayer, and friends you trust to support you.
Belayer: This is the person who you are tied to and will save your life should you fall. Hmm, who do u wanna trust that job to?
I was the first to climb. ME! I had no experience and didn't even get to watch someone else so I could try to follow their path... So the very first spot I got up onto the rock, I already felt stuck. It felt like it was impossible. I could see NO way to progress. My Belayer didn't tell me how to do it... he said, "keep looking, you'll figure it out." I couldn't believe how many times the words "I can't" came to my mind. I think they may have even slipped from my lips once or twice, but once I was aware of this slip, I was careful not to say it out loud again (because just saying it is self-limiting, IMO). I'm glad my Belayer didn't "rescue" me. He made me think. I found a way... It was mind opening. I began to see every slant of the rock, every crack & uneven surface as a solution to the problem.
I felt elated when I made it to the top. "Now what?" I asked? They said, "You come back down!" I started to climb back down and they said, "no you rappel." When they told me how to do this, I was again filled with fear. I thought, how difficult that just as I thought I made my goal, I find out the challenge isn't over! In fact the courage it took to go down was even tougher than figuring out a way to climb up! You have to plant your feet on the rock and lay back into empty space, putting your trust and your life in the Belayer's hands. So you push out from the rock- depending on the rope to hold you and you "sit" until your legs are at a nearly 90 degree angle to you body and the rock, and then just walk down. Transitions from one rock surface to another can be tricky just as any major changes in life. 
Climbing teaches trust and opens your mind to finding solutions to what might seem impossible. I absolutely loved it. We did two climbs, and I was disappointed to find that on the second climb I was paralyzed for a few minutes at the top before getting enough courage to go down. I will admit, my brain did think of quitting as one of my options. Briefly... But my inner spirit said no... ; ) I freaked out a little and made the belayer take back the slack a couple times and then I finally committed to sticking it out and made it down. I can't wait to go again... I'll push myself to keep doing this until I can get to the top and go down without the intense fear of starting the rappelling. If you have the opportunity to climb - try it! I think maybe if you can climb, you can do anything! 
I just got back from a trip to Maui, where my friend, Olga, and I drove up 10,000 ft to the top of Haleakala. The tourist literature in Maui calls it a crater, but once your up there the rangers and info at the visitors center correct that. But whatever... Inside the depression there are volcanic cinder cones.
The hike was great... until we started to walk back up. It was gruelling. Eventually Olga walked on without me as I stopped for like the 3rd time to catch my breath. (maybe i whined a little... after all we got up at a quarter to 3 am!!) Anyway we eventually reunited, but I totally wanted to give up trying to climb out of the huge hole, and maybe just build a little hut and live out the rest of my days there... but, Olga said quit whining and come on... so i kept walking. Then clouds rolled in and it started to rain on us. (It felt nice)
