After a fifteen minute drive we arrived at our destination. It didn't seem like anything special at first, just an old gate and a dirt road trail. I apprehensively followed behind trying to imagine where it was leading. It wasn't long before we happened upon a beautiful waterfall pouring into a small waterhole. Before I could say anything my sister said, "Who's jumping first?", and simultaneously pointed to a 25ft rock hanging over the end of the waterhole. My heart-rate increased a little bit knowing how my older sisters tend to use me as a guinea pig, but her friends saved my life and went up without much motivation. They've done it hundreds of times.
The first splash was loud and splashed water half as high as the rock. Evidently it was deep enough to jump into. That was my biggest fear. Breaking my legs, or worse, dying. But that was cleared from my conscience. It was time to face my fear.
I made the 25 foot climb to the top of the rock and peered over the slippery edge. It looked way higher from up here. My sisters jeered and laughed, calling me chicken and other puny insults. I had to prove them wrong and more importantly prove to myself that I wasn't in fact a chicken. The time was now. I made the leap while holding my arms close to my body while closing my eyes. The water rushed up from my feet to the top of my head instantly. While I was under the water I realized how much fun I had been missing out on because of my stupid fear. Its important to keep the door open in life and not shut out opportunities or challenges because of fear. I had let my fear get in the way of my excitement for life. It was a great lesson I will never forget and I credit the rock at Cochran Mill Park.
No comments:
Post a Comment