The Higher You Go The Rarer The Air
by Ruth Ann Harnisch on 01/23/10 at 11:09 pm
Day 23
I’m happiest at sea level; more specifically, I’m happiest in the sea.
Here I am in Deer Valley, Utah , at 8200 feet above happy. My body responds by displaying almost every symptom of moderate altitude sickness. My head is pounding. I’m short of breath. I’m nauseated. It usually takes me a few days to acclimatize.
I think of it as a metaphor. The higher one climbs in life, the more difficult it is to feel normal. Many of my coaching clients have reached career altitudes that disorient them. They face situations that make their hearts beat rapidly, and it’s hard to think straight. Often, they are uncomfortable and seeking relief, which is how they came to me for coaching.
“You know why it’s lonely at the top?” I ask them. “Because there are so few people up there.”
When I find myself at altitude, it’s important for me to slow down, not expect too much of myself until I get acclimatized, accept my limitations with as much grace as I can muster, and recognize the beauty of being in a place that takes me out of my comfort zone.
5 Comments
Cyn Liggett
Jan 24th, 2010
An excellent metaphor.. thank you. Even in your discomfort, your awareness spills out like a briliant light on me this cold foggy morning. So you take 'er slow, drink your water or lemon/ginger tea, 5 deep slow breaths – you'll get there.. it is beautiful isn't it? Thank you for this.
Rosemary Hayes
Jan 24th, 2010
See my status for today . . . it's why a free Sunday at Hudson River level makes me so grateful. Seems to me you are always at "see" level!
Sue Mullery Hansen
Jan 24th, 2010
This was a great post. Rcognize the beauty of being in a place that takes me out of my comfort zone. Much food for thought
Dr. Lynn K. Jones
Jan 24th, 2010
Hi Ruth, I appreciate your thoughts about altitude. Altitude is a great metaphor for the struggle we all engage in when trying to stretch ourselves. It is as you say, “disorienting.” My tag line for my coaching practice with leaders is “Helping You to Reach New Heights.” One great thing about being at a new metaphorical height is that you can see differently from up there. The vistas and views give you new insights and a different slant on your world. As long as you don’t get isolated on your own little pinnacle, this is the opportunity to get the vision that most leaders know they need.
Lynn
Linda Just
Jan 25th, 2010
some people can't recognize the next level – whenever i've felt i've gotten on to the next level, is when I've moved forward with 'ok, I can wing this'
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