When was the last time you tried something for the first time?
We must always walk towards the pursuits that frightens us, for there lies the gift of life.
“When was the last time you tried something for the first time?”
We are designed to adapt, flourish and advance.
Find experiences that trigger your curiosity and excited to grow.
Recently I jumped off a cliff edge. Yes, a cliff, into the ocean, off the in Croatia.
My mind was shouting out ‘danger’ as I glanced over the edge of the cliff. But I saw this as an opportunity to quiet the danger keeper, that voice in my mind, and step into my power.
Naturally, I scanned the area to assess the risk factor. Once I saw the German guy in my group jump and reappear, before swimming towards the cliff edge to clamber back up, I knew I was up next.
I didn’t need to be next, but I wanted to be. If we give our minds all the time it will flood us with all the worst-case scenarios. I didn’t need to hear that. Inside my mind went quiet as I focused my breathing. Then I counted, ‘1, 2, 3’. At 3 I was to jump – I didn’t. As I glanced out again, I knew I had to jump and quick. So I started to count again, ‘1’ then jumped.
As I jumped off and fell towards the water my mind was still. It was probably in shock that I didn’t count to 3 again and jump like was the plan.
I was suddenly woken from the stillness with the biggest splash and as my body shot down towards the ocean bed, my primitive instincts kicked in and I was suddenly swimming back up to the surface of the water, reappearing into the bright daylight.
An aliveness washed over me, a sense of achievement and euphoria. A whisper, “You did it” floated into my mind. That whisper was the voice of courage.
I acknowledged my ‘courage’. It is way too easy to take the easy path and tell yourself you are way too scared to jump. Everyone ‘gets’ it. And no one would push you to do something that you were fearful off. But that’s when you have a choice, to step into the feeling of fear and straight through the other side.
If I am truthful, I don’t want to take the easy route in life. I want to feel euphoria in the presence of fear. As only then do you train your mind to settle, to be still, and to trust your judgement.
And what did I do? I swam to the cliff edge, clambered back up the cliff and jumped again. Because I can. And I wanted to feel the aliveness.
Real failure lies in not even trying, allowing your ‘what if’ thoughts to take your body and mind prisoner. We become stronger on the tough runs than coasting on the easy ones. Unchallenging runs appear safer, but they end up more dangerous. They keep us stuck and limit us of going all out. They rob us of our boldness, aliveness and bigness. They signal that we are ok to let life meander on by.
In the challenge, you can feel out of your depth, drowning in your chaos, foolish if you splash awkwardly, but by controlling your mind you grow in wisdom, and grit.
Never give in to your wildest thoughts, they are just that - thoughts. Be patient as you say yes to more life events that will encourage your boldness even when your tummy is performing cartwheels.
No one wants to regret a body-tingling experience. In the process of trying, you will catch a glimpse of the person you could become, and surely that is enough to keep you intrigued and making moves! Go say yes to cliff jumping!
“Courage is not the absence of fear. It is rather not letting your fear control your actions” ― Brett Harris