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Sunday 27 May 2012

Surrender


Left in front of right in front of left... One at a time, I slowly climb the steps towards the top. Pausing at the first platform, I look out to the narrow white board. The higher I climb, the faster my heart beats...until I reach the peak. Shuffling my way to the edge, my stomach jumps powerfully into my throat as I look down. Everything moves closer and further away simultaneously in true Hitchcock style. Attacking birds would seem like butterflies right now.
And so I stand there, frozen. Electricity coursing through my veins, I nervously smooth the hair out of my eyes, and glancing behind me, I am at least relieved to see that I'm alone up here. Turning back was not an option. I had made it my personal mission, my challenge of spirit to do this dive, and I wouldn't go back.
And so I close my eyes to the world. The smell of chlorine wafts up from the water below and enters my lungs. I could fight this or I could surrender.
Taking a deep breath, I lurch forward as gravity grabs my body and pulls me down with his strong hands. I travel through the air with such velocity that everything blurs away. Powerless.
I slice the water and journey deep into the blue. And I keep on going, further than I have ever been before.
As much as we would like, there are some things we just can't control. Whether it be love, life or everything in between, once we let go and surrender, we open ourselves up to exciting new possibilities.
Sometimes, we don't get what we want. But we always get what we need.

7 comments:

  1. Did you really do it? I can't remember ever having gone off a board. I must have, but certainly not a high one. Maybe I need to have hair to smooth out of my eyes (must be nice)...

    Of course, all I've done through much of my life has been to figuratively go off the high board. I guess I skipped the first step.

    Good for you!

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  2. Hey Mitch, yes I really did! I'm scared of heights too so it meant a lot to me. You could always smooth your eyebrows...That works just as well for dramatic purposes. I admire your approach to life. Sometimes, the only way to feel alive is to just jump off that high board.
    :-)

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  3. Oh the nerves, the nerves; the mysteries of this machine called "Man"!
    Oh the little that unhinges it: poor creatures that we are!
    — Charles Dickens

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  4. Mr Dickens said it so eloquently! That's very profound indeed.
    Thanks for sharing that beautiful piece of writing :-)
    Have a great evening.

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  5. Congratulations Jeff! I could feel your trepidation! But you did it! What's next? Can't wait!

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  6. I love the expression you used "slice the water". That makes you a very good diver I guess. I usually crush and smash the water when I dive.
    Thanks for sharing your views on life. I agree. Once we see our hands are tied, all we can do is surrender and let things happen.

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  7. Thanks Jim! I lived to tell the tale...hahaha. I won't be bungee jumping any time soon though.
    Hey Jay. Crushing and smashing the water sounds painful :-) We've all been there though, haven't we!

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