Between A Rock And A Hard Place

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I learned some valuable lessons at the weekend when I got myself stuck between a rock and a hard place, literally, and several times too in different caves.

I learned that as I go through life, I would from time to time be stuck in unpleasant situations. When that happens, I would need to spend additional effort and energy to extricate myself from that mess. There are normally forks in the paths that I could choose from. Invariably, one is to step back to where I came from, and the other to move forward. Both options are wrought with their own challenges, risks and unknowns.

In a sense, even if I choose to make a U-turn, that path may turn out to be as difficult as if I were to move forward. The trail which I thought was familiar when I came through one hole to be where I was is never the same when coming from the opposite direction. The same handholds and footholds are not as safe anymore so I would have to find different ones now.

Now, why should I then go back and face as much risks when I will only end up in the same place. I imagine going forward into the unknown is a lot more interesting. The pain, aches and bruises that come with it is anyway part of the fun. So basically, when stuck between a rock and a hard place, just go forward, literally and figuratively.

I also learned another lesson in going forward. At one point, I was facing a 20ft rock face. The guy in front of me made it up after trying and slipping several time. It took me some time to work up the courage, so I let a few others pass through, after which I couldn’t delay any more without holding up the whole gang.

Without a firm foothold, I slipped a couple of times. Then the gentleman stranger behind me offered his hands for me to step on. He cupped his hands together and held them up above his head. I gingerly stepped on them (in my boots too) and made it half way up the rock face. It was probably painful for his arms and hands but he didn’t complain.

Just like real life, at some points I must accept help from strangers to push me through some difficulties. I must trust that the offer of help is genuine and that the stranger has what it takes to give me that assistance. I learn too that I must sometimes offer my help to others in need without being asked for, and without expecting anything in return.

I had now left the hands that was supporting me, and yet still unable to reach the top of the ledge where someone was eagerly waiting to pull me up. There I was midway up the wall and left to my own devices. Giving up would have meant a 10ft drop onto a bed of rock, so the only way to go was up. Difficult as it was, somehow I managed to pull myself up. It was a marvelous feeling to have conquered something that earlier had seemed insurmountable.

A couple more obstacles and there I was looking at a tiny crevice with sunlight streaming in. A few steps up with a little wiggle around the sharp edges and I was out in the cool shade of the jungle.

Interesting enough, the gentleman who had helped me up the menacing wall then had a hard time getting out through that final crack. He was stuck for more than an hour and he was getting weak after making many attempts to push himself up. Fortunately, what goes around comes around, in a good way. Pulling him out was not an option. Another kind soul went around the back…which took a good half hour…and offered his hands to be stepped on. While waiting, the rest of the gang was keeping him company and sharing with him water snacks and some jokes to keep the spirits up.

That was yet another lesson learned. Sometimes I am stuck and others help me. Other times, I get to pay it forward to someone else. Our good deeds are always returned, at times many times over.
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