Last summer I took the bold step and rode the white water rapids at the ASCI Sporting Center at Deep Creek Lake. This is a designed course that is also used for Olympic training and competitions. Although I’m not one for high speed, steep drops, and possible overturns, something inside of me kept saying, “Do it.”

Since I am not a “spur of the moment” person; I had to prep myself for the experience. I went a few times to observe and found each time that I got caught up in the excitement. As I stood on the rocky ledge, I heard laughter, screams, and watched (with my HR/OD eyes) teamwork in action. The professional guides, as they were shouting out commands; created an experience that resulted in fun, and for others success and personal accomplishment. This atmosphere allowed individuals to face fears with a sense of pride and ownership as well as having a good time. What incredible personal learning!

The day came to ride the rapids. A friend and HR colleague, Susan, and I went for our training session. We met our guide Bam Bam. He was tall, muscular, and looked quite rugged. Susan and I looked at each other and commented, “With a name like that we can’t go wrong!” Bam Bam made sure that our gear was on correctly and went through various scenarios of what we will experience. We had a brief simulation of how to row and the commands that he would use. Then we were on our way. The raft was mechanically lifted to the course. And there was the first drop. My first thought, “Am I crazy?” The perception of the drop and force of the rapid is quite different standing on a shore line!

As the raft moved along the rapids, initially I reacted by tensing my body – a natural response to the unknown. Soon I found my body becoming more in rhythm with the bumps, swirls, and drops. I was going “with the flow” so to speak; absorbing the experience, not controlling it, and yet being mindful of what I needed to do to be safe and a collaborative member of the team. I walked away from the experience with a deep sense of pride. Pride not only in the accomplishment but pride in my decision to do it.

Life and work are like riding the rapids. Each day has its own course. One occurrence leads to the next. For some we are prepared and for others it’s like being caught in the spin of turbulent water. We get caught by surprise.

What did I learn from this experience? I learned that life often invites me to step out of my comfort zone to new experiences. Experiences, which do not come with instructions and learning objectives; but with deeper questions. Questions that invite me to pause and reflect on lessons learned. Questions that call me to observe how I ride the daily rapids of my life experience. Questions that encourage me to make an offer of my gifts and talents to others. Questions that help me to reflect on how I invite others to ride the rapids. What are the questions you ask yourself as you ride the rapids? Share them. We can learn from each other.