If you quiet your mind’s chatter, you’ll hear your soulful self whisper, a lot.
Sometimes with busy schedules and background noise, we don’t hear our selves. But listen and you’ll get all the answers and all the guidance you need.
That’s how I ended up jumping out of an airplane, skydiving above the beautiful North Shore in O’ahu.
Let me start by sharing video of my skydiving adventure from start to finish with you:
Exhilarating.
I once read fear and excitement begin from the same spot in our brain. The trick is converting fears into excitement. It takes practice and consistent attempts before it becomes instinct.
Why did I take a big leap?
Skydiving is an unforgettable experience, a story to share, and an opportunity to try something new. It’s something many will never get to experience their entire lives.
So if you can do it, why not? And, why not now?
I’ll confess this first: I don’t like roller coasters, they make me sick. Luckily, skydiving is nothing like a roller coaster.
It’s truly something else.
Skydiving is surprisingly quiet, meditative, but slightly adrenaline-filled. It’s still manageable for the beginner.
It’s also safe.
A professional instructor, with hundreds of practice jumps and days upon days of training under their belt, jumps attached to you; he or she navigates. They take care of everything; you only worry about enjoying the ride.
I signed up for the North Shore skydiving experience on O’ahu, without hesitation.
I bought the package with 60 seconds of free-falling. There are different heights and different falling times to choose from. Pick what’s just a touch out of your comfort zone.
Maybe your stomach churns at the thought, but fear is much worse in our head.
There’s tons of air pressure pushing against you when you jump.
It felt like trying to fall through an ocean of molasses. Which is to say, not fast and not scary – even if you hate roller coasters.
Yes, the minute my feet left the airplane there was an “EEK!” excitement shriek. I also may have gripped my instructor too tightly.
If you watch the video carefully, there’s one curse word escaping my mouth.
But it is incredible.
A quick 60 seconds later, the instructor pulls the parachute – don’t worry there are multiple backup parachutes.
Suddenly I’m floating through the air.
I drift through the beautiful clear skies, taking in all the colors. I have never experienced such quiet, peace, and serenity in my life.
I’d do it a thousand times over.
So how did I find myself jumping out of a plane, more than 5,000 feet above one of the most beautiful places in the world?
It started with one night where I felt bored. I was in desperate need of inspiration, something to get me motivated and excited.
I opened up Microsoft Excel on my laptop.
I recommend you do this exercise with a pen and a legal pad or write in a journal. Write it with your own hand so you can physically feel the words.
I made a wish list.
You don’t HAVE to believe you’ll be granted everything on your wish list. But you DO have to ask for all the things you want.
Write it down, and don’t hold back.
Without sharing the ENTIRE list of wishes I made to some imaginary Genie, here are highlights:
- Go Skydiving
- Travel into space
- Ride in a helicopter
You don’t have to share your bucket list with anyone. It’s yours.
But you DO need to be specific and “greedy” with the things you ask.
Remember: We have one shot at being the person we wanted to be growing up. So ask for it all; you deserve it.
I researched places to skydive, reading reviews from those who jumped before me. Luck would have it, Pacific Sky Dive was running a promotion, and I was SO in.
That’s all it takes.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign, a nudge to go do something – consider this post your sign.
Start writing! And let me know how it goes.
The adventure continues,
