Goal #3) Bungee Jump

There isn’t much that I am afraid of but heights is one of the things that does frighten me.  I’m not scared to the point where I freeze & am not able to function but I feel apprehensive about falling.  Despite my worries I have tried pushing myself in a variety of ways in order to overcome my fear.

Earlier this summer while visiting Zion National Park in Utah I climbed to the top of Angel’s Landing.  At times I had to walk on sandstone paths no wider than three feet across.  On each side of the path were vertical drops to the canyon floor, 800 feet on one side & 1,300 on the other.  I kept my focus on the ground in front of me to keep from getting scared.  Slowly I made my way to the top, one step at a time.  Before long I arrived at my destination where I enjoyed one of the most spectacular views of my life.

On Sunday I faced my fear of heights again.  I bungee jumped.

Earlier in the week I made plans to go to Wisconsin Dells where they have a place to jump.  Each time I thought about my upcoming jump I was filled with a mixture of fear & excitement.  Willingly jumping off of a platform that I “shouldn’t” be on in the first place filled me with anxiety.  Knowing that in a few days I would be completing another of my life goals filled me with anticipation.  A smile crossed my face each time I thought about the moment when there was no turning back; when my only option was to hold on for the ride.  My stomach fluttered.

Sunday morning arrived & as I prepared myself for the day, a wave of calm seemed to surround me.  I wasn’t nervous about the jump anymore.  I had expected to face the day with worry & fear which would cause physical symptoms such as nausea or weak knees but none of this happened.  Maybe when I was able to see what I was up against these responses would present themselves?

When we pulled into the parking lot & I saw the bungee tower I felt empowered instead of afraid.  It was almost as if I were facing an enemy.  In a sense I was; fear.  With my confidence bolstered I went inside to purchase my ticket.  Moments later I was being weighed & having harnesses attached to my waist and ankles.  As they were cinching the harnesses around my feet I again felt a sense of comfort as the straps began to cut the circulation off to my feet.  Nice and tight, just the way I wanted them to be.

I entered the cage and began my ride to the top, 130 feet above.  On the way up I was instructed of the simple process of bungee.  “When we get to the top I will open this gate.  Place your hands on both sides of the opening with your toes hanging over the edge.  Reach out in front of you, hold your hands together and lean forward.”  So simple.

Our ride clicked to a stop and the gate opened.  I stepped to edge and looked around.  “It will be much easier if you do it fast & get it over with,” came the voice from behind me.  He was right.  I reached out in front of me, clasping my hands together and started leaning forward.  At the point when I knew there was no stopping I muttered “Oh, shit” to myself and began to fall.

At first it didn’t seem real but soon I was free-falling through the air at 40 miles an hour and I couldn’t help but scream.  Within seconds I could feel the stretch of the bungee slowing me down.  I was yanked back into the air again for another free-fall.  My screams turned into laughter.  I had done it, and I lived!

As I was lowered to the platform I was smiling so much my face hurt.  What a rush!

Facing a fear can be hard at times, but when you are able to overcome those emotions you will begin to experience things you would never have had the courage to attempt before.  You just opened a door to a new realm of living.

To see photos from my jump, visit my Flickr photo album.