Jump in Feet First

Listening to the others laugh and splash and shout with joy, I knew I WANTED to be in the water. I WANTED to find the excitement of playing in this space. I WANTED to say “I’ve done it! I’ve confronted my fears and I won!” Standing on the precipice at the water’s edge, it was everything I could do not to turn around and put my t-shirt back on.

I stood on the rocks. From this rock, if I jumped I’d hit the bottom of the river too hard. From that rock, I couldn’t actually see how deep it was, the flow churned up the bottom. There. That one. I would be good - deep enough I won’t hit the bottom when I jumped, yet close enough to the edge I could reach out if I needed.

It was going to be cold. I knew that. It was going to be uncomfortable. It was going to make my chest tighten and my breath catch. That terrified me. I could feel a rush of adrenaline pulse through me. Now, though, I could not focus on those or I’d never jump.

Instead, I focused on the joy. I focused on the laughter. I focused on the feeling of overcoming my fear. And I jumped.

It was like I’d imagined: cold, painful, uncomfortable. My muscles tightened as I surfaced to get my breath. My heart pounded. When I cut through the surface I yelped. I laughed. I cursed and I shouted. I felt joy, an overwhelming, beautiful, uncomfortable. Joy. I grinned and shivered. I’d done it.

Whether jumping into water, a new class, starting a business, applying for that job or whatever it is you are facing. Whatever precipice you are standing on to the next part of your life, I encourage you jump in feet first.

#nothingispermanent #friends