Monday, August 2, 2010

Today, I Jumped Off a Cliff...Really!

I am so not an adrenaline junkie. I don't like risk taking or heights or scary movies (unless it's zombies.) Adrenaline rushes just don't feel very good to me for some reason.

We went out to Sea Life Park today, which was really not anything exciting, except when the dolphins jumped out of the water. That was kind of cool.
 
On the way back to Honolulu, we stopped at Halona Blowhole again so that my sister and dad could jump off the cliffs again before they leave tomorrow. I kind of made up my mind that I would jump off.

I know this sounds insane, but I've never really gone swimming here in Hawaii. I don't even own a bathing suit. There's something in me that panics in the ocean. I'm not even really sure what it is that I'm so scared of.

Anyway, I made up my mind that I was gonna do the jump. I knew that if I didn't do it, I would regret it. Plus, I've been learning so much about myself lately, with the diet and watching my body change, that I felt it was kind of an important jump.

I climbed out onto the rocks with my sister with the fear that I would suddenly change my mind. I was worried that the weight of my jeans would weigh me down. The water was roaring up through the cove and splashing over the cliffs.



My mind was racing. What would happen if I slipped on the rock and hit my head? What if I jumped in and hit my head on the bottom of the sea and drowned? I walked carefully to the edge of the rock.

Looking out, I could see how fierce the sea was. The waves were crashing on the rock and I tried to time the jump with the ebb in the tide. I was standing on the edge and there was no where to go but out.



I carefully gauged how far out I would need to jump to avoid hitting the rocks. I took a breath and leaped!



I surfaced pretty quickly and started swimming back to the shore. I had a moment of panic when I realized I wasn't actually getting closer to the shore, even though I was swimming as hard as I could. Thoughts of sharks and nasty jellyfish flitted through my mind. I consciously relaxed and just allowed the waves to push me to the shore.

This young man was watching me swimming frantically with a strange look on his face and I realized I could stand up. The waves were still pushing me pretty hard as I walked to the shore.

It was such a rush and just an amazing experience. I'm really proud of myself for taking the plunge, so to speak. Besides, now I can say I jumped off a cliff.

3 comments:

  1. That is so COoool! I am proud of you for going outside your fear, and taking a figuaritve jump as well as literal! your sis will have a sweet memory of that with you forever!

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  2. I can hardly believe it and I am beyond awed that you challenged yourself to such a big thing and persevered! Bravo!

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