Monthly Archives: July 2018

Life Lessons

What Matters Most

Leave a comment

When you are 80 years old, what will matter to you the most?

4058994722_600px_Elongated_circle_80svg_xlargeLife once looked  like a straight road. A path to a predetermined end that was so simple to follow that it would be like playing a board game.

Put your marker at the start, take your turn, roll the dice and see if you can get to the finish before anybody else with more stuff than you need.  Life is not playing out that way for me, does it for anybody?

I know enough to know, that I do not know that I don’t know anything about what life might be like in a year from now, let alone in thirty-one years from now.

 I can only take a blind guess at what I hope will matter to me if I am fortunate enough to join the ranks of the octogenarians.

I Will Have to Move It, Move It

I am going to be happy that I have my physical freedom. At 80, the machinery will be a bit worn out but it will all still work to propel me to whatever task I set before me.

Even though it takes a bit longer to get where I am going, I will still get there.  There will be peoplemattermostsome aches and pains, even the best antique vehicle needs a bit of tender loving care, but that will not stop me.

 It will matter to me that I am still an  active participant in life, meeting with people and sharing stories, and still contributing to the lives of others around the world.

 Being active is not the most important thing in life, but I think it is one of the things that allows me to be a participant rather than just an observer of life.

Still Writing after all These Years

Writing will still matter and still be a significant part of my life. I imagine there will be a bit more of an urgency to get all of my thoughts collected for posterity’s sake before the clock runs out.  I am not sure what I will be writing about then because really I am not

Who knows what types of machines the writing will be done but I will be doing it!
Who knows what types of machines the writing will be done but I will be doing it!

sure what I will write about today until I do it, yet it does get done.  There are an infinite number of thoughts, topics and interesting tidbits that need to be explored, discussed and thought about.  Do my thoughts really matter?

 They do to me and that is all that really counts.  By the time I am 80 there will be so many different thoughts that I have recorded that I may have forgotten all of them.

 I know this will happen because it already does.  Writing will definitely still be important to me.

Sit a Spell, Tell Me About It

The way that we interact with each other is going to be more important to me when I am 80 than it is today. I know it will matter to me because so many people have already made stupid thingsan impact on my life, some will never know the permanent marks they left on my heart, mind, and soul.

 Yet those marks will be there none the less and I do not think that the next thirty years are going to be filled with any less interaction, in fact, I am seeking much, much more.  Relationships of a personal nature are the way that we connect directly with other people and share our thoughts and accept the thoughts of others.

It may be the most important thing or just one of several, but to share what you know, think and feel with others and to be well received is a great gift.  It may even fool you into thinking that you know something about life.  I am sure that life will still have a twisted sense of humor when I am 80 as it did when I was 40 or 30 or 10.

The World Will Matter Then As It Does Now

Even if I make it to the ripe old age of 80, I think the thing that will matter to me most is what I can contribute to the happiness of others.

(A little poem I like, What Will Matter by Micheal Josephson)

2ea0ede2a7590ee8776ea194730f0783Can I help someone through a difficult moment by letting them know that no matter how dark the sky is and how the storm howls there will be an ending to the storm and the sun will come out again?

No bad time lasts forever, although that is little consolation for the people going through them.  Eventually, circumstances change as they must and all things even tough times come to their inevitable conclusion. Leaving behind a greater inner strength, a stronger character and a human being with more depth and understanding.

 The hope that all pain and despair can have an ending eventually is a message that I not only want to share but feel compelled to print.  Almost everything that I write is around this message, mostly subconsciously, but I have seen the dark, dark night and had no light to mark the dawn. It will mean the most to me to mark the dawn for all those who are looking for a sign of hope. You matter now and you will matter then. We are all connected after all and you are only as alone and isolated as you choose to be.

There is an understanding that we see in aging for many people that there is a gentle failing of the power of youth, that fades over time, and the physical promise of a young person is slowly but inevitably replaced with a spiritual understanding about life and its fragility.

When I am 80 I imagine I will understand this dance, look back and see the errors of my ways and see the foolishness involved in getting upset about it all when all things were working as they should or could.

When you are 80-years-old, what will matter to you the most?

I’m not tryin’ to cause no big sensation, just talkin’ bout my generation!! Even at 80!!

Related articles

 

Life

Lessons Learned at Camp Caribou Part 2

Leave a comment
Tom Fischer, Toby Macgrath, Dave Penley, and Myself, the baseball staff 1992.

Seeing all the Camp Caribou 50 years of camping has made me contemplate my brief four years as a counselor there many years ago.  It is such a unique place and working there was full of lessons and personal growth.  I have carried these lessons along to all areas of my life and I am grateful for the experience and hope those lessons are being taught to others still today. I was just one of the thousands of employees the Lerman’s have had over the years but to me, the feeling of family and belonging at that place was individual and lasting. Here are a few more of the lessons I learned on that peninsula in Winslow, Maine. (Read Part 1 Here)

The Value of Personal Time

As much as I respect Bill Lerman, as a counselor, I thought that it was good to see him at meals and camp activities but never any other time. Bill was a business owner, and he would ride around the camp on a three-wheeler, checking up on this or that, so you could always hear the three-wheeler coming and stop doing anything you shouldn’t be doing.  I learned early to work hard and well when you are on duty,

John Hall, Mick Scarles, Brian Albers, Rich Redwine, Myself, Dave Penley and Lynn Hall in front our favorite camp nurse.

but to find places that nobody could find you when you had free time. Because if you had free time, and Bill found you, he could find something for you to do.

I developed many different places which were relaxing, quiet, and good places for rejuvenation.  I remember sitting in one of them, out of sight and hearing the three-wheeler pass by just behind me and smiling because I knew I wasn’t going to be spotted. The lesson here is that everyone needs time to themselves in order to be able to give what they have to others. I always have carried that forward and enjoy my time by myself when I need it.  There is nothing wrong with this and it makes you a better leader, worker, producer and person.  When I have been in positions of authority I recognize and respect that in others and I owe that lesson all to Camp Caribou.

Mindset Matters

I learned early that how you think matters in the way you experience camp. And that can be translated into all other areas of your life.  At camp, you are entering into a new environment and it brings with it some challenging choices.  If you focus

Me Pitching BP. My favorite pastime

on yourself, your day is going to be difficult. If you focus on what you can do for others, your day will be easy.  You have to be there anyway, so look for ways to make the experience fun and most of that comes with mindset. I worked with people with good and poor mindsets.  I know the ones with a positive mindset, lifted me up and made things better.  Those who complain all the time about everything are to be avoided because they will bring you down.

Thinking positively and performing your job with joy is easier and more enjoyable than being negative.  When you complain all the time and look for the things you don’t enjoy, you tend not to enjoy anything. Life is too short not to enjoy anything. Camp Caribou was my first real lesson in this and I have been able to carry that lesson through a lot of difficult times to find ways to enjoy life today. Your mindset matters my friends. Is it a good day? Or a bad day? Only you can decide.

All People Have Value

No matter where you come from in the world, the color of your skin, the religion that you practice, or the language you speak, underneath it all we are all the same. We are just people that are looking for a way to have our needs met and to feel a part of things.  I was fortunate to be exposed to people from all over the globe at Camp Caribou. Every year people go to Winslow, Maine arriving as individuals and if they make it through the summer they leave as part of something bigger than themselves.  I saw all people make contributions to the whole experience. Some were bigger than others, but all kept the life at camp moving and healthy.

One of the lessons all camping brings to people is that all people have value. The kitchen staff is just as important as the program director and in some ways more important.  I know that my ability to appreciate others and to always remember to thank someone for even the smallest kindness comes from Camp Caribou. It is good to be appreciated and also great to appreciate others.  We are presented with an opportunity to practice this each and every day. All people have an intrinsic value that they bring to life. Appreciate all of those you come in contact with. We are all doing the best we can.  Thank you Camp Caribou for that lesson.

Magic is There

The final lesson I will be talking about today is about the energy and joy that people bring to a place like Camp Caribou. It is a rare thing that a place is almost magical in the joy and excitement it brings to people.  There were any number of evening activities, bunk nights, Sunday afternoon activities, or intercamp games I participated in and all had a value to someone.  Each contributed an excitement to someone and made many people smile and be happy.  This happiness transcends the physical location of Caribou and is carried around with all the people who ever experienced it.  Like all great things, they only exist for a short season, then it is over and left in your memory.  At the end of the summer, one by one the people return to their homes and take that happiness with them.  Being at the camp as people continually left, it was like watching a giant fall asleep.  The magic of the place slowly drifted away with every boat being pulled from the water and every ball being put away.

Just like life, the time of a summer is finite, measurable and short. But that is what gives it value and makes it special.  The motto of Camp Caribou used to be “unforgettable summers” and I think that was true.  I have never forgotten the value that I took from the place and its people. I am sure there are many others who felt the same way as well. The good thing to remember is that even as the giant falls asleep every fall and stays that way throughout the winter, it will awaken again when the weather warms up and the people return, one by one in the spring and summer.  The magic of the place never disappears, it shows its value by coming back to life to teach its lessons to more people. As long as there are places like Camp Caribou, the world will be a better place.

Apparently, I could write all day about this place that has had such an influence on me and my outlook on life. I know that the Lerman family all helps run things and the next generation is taking over, I am sure that the camp is in good hands for years to come.  There are good people all over the world who have been affected in a positive way and I hope that continues for campers and staff for many years to come. I was very fortunate to have had the experience and hope all others are as grateful for the time there as I am.  (Read Part 1 Here)

 

Life

Lessons Learned From Camp Caribou, Part 1

Leave a comment
caribou staff photo 93
A staff photo from one of the years I worked there, I think 93. Big Bill in the middle, our fearless leader.

There are places you experience in your life which leave an indelible mark etched on your soul. You may even know it at the time but I am not sure you can appreciate it until years later.  When I was in college, I had the great privilege to work for four summers at a summer camp in Central Maine called Camp Caribou.  To describe the whole experience would take a book, but suffice it to say I learned many lessons of life there I still think of today.  Bill and Martha Lerman were the owners and operators of the camp and they were the major lesson teachers there. I am sure that thousands of young people have benefitted more than I have from their kindness, honesty, and consistency, but none appreciate it more.  These are a few of the lessons I learned at Camp Caribou in Winslow, Maine.

First, to set the scene, Camp Caribou is located on a peninsula on Pattie’s Pond. To access the camp you have to travel down a half mile long dirt road. I remember the first time I drove down it, not really knowing what to expect, a little fear and excitement mixed together. What story would this road reveal? I am sure that every kid of all ages felt something similar the first time they traveled that road.  It is windy, and people honked as they got to some curves to alert anyone coming the other way.  And then suddenly out of the woods, it opens up and brings you into the middle of the camp.  A playground of fun, with all kinds of activities kids, love.  It was enchanting and my education was just beginning.

Leadership Bill Lerman Style

Leadership is a skill some come by naturally, and others develop through experience. I know that I learned how to be a good leader from Bill Lerman. It is a story I tell often about digging a ditch. If you want to get five people to dig a ditch, do it quickly and enthusiastically, you get in the ditch with them and work like hell for about 5 minutes. All the others will fall in line and dig like hell too. Then you can back away and let them finish because the momentum is already set.  I was fortunate enough to observe Bill do this with me as one of the workers, and to later be able to lead others to the same ditch digging task. (different ditch)  Lead by example, and never ask anyone else to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. That lesson has proven to transcend all of the many careers I have participated in over the years.  I am continually grateful for the lessons Bill taught me. It has proven invaluable.

That is just one of many things that Bill taught. He probably doesn’t even know that he does it. He has a very unique voice and style of speaking so, his stories resonate with you and I do believe I developed a pretty good imitation of the man.  Pre-camp, before the kids came was a lot of work, getting everything ready for the kid’s arrival and training for the staff. All camps I am sure have some form of this, but with Bill, it was a one of a kind show.  Have a look at the video and listen to him talk.

Kindness Martha Lerman Style

One of the lasting memories I carry from my Camp Caribou days is the kindness that Martha Lerman always brought to everyone. And I mean every one. It didn’t matter if you were a camper or a counselor, she would find a way to make sure you felt like you belonged and were important to what was going on.  It could be taking the whole staff out to a movie during pre-camp when everyone had been working hard. Or making sure there was some kind of “treat” for the staff during staff

I am in this picture somewhere, but honestly have no idea where. My first year at camp.

meetings.  When I was in that first year of being a counselor, Martha often checked to make sure that I was doing OK.

It could be a run down the road with a kid who needed some encouragement, or just a quick conversation with someone who needed to be uplifted. Her kindness never shuts off.  I have seen the power of being kind over the years and its alternative.  I now try to treat people with the mantra of “kindness first”, and I have been fortunate to have many good role models in that area, but Martha Lerman was definitely one of the most powerful examples of consistent and powerful kindness I ever experienced, I am eternally grateful for that.

Brotherhood

There are two types of family in life, the ones you are born into and then there are the ones you grow into.  At Camp Caribou, it was the kind you grew into.  All of the staff members came from all over the world and had different skills, backgrounds, religions, and philosophies about life.  Yet, enter the peninsula of Camp Caribou and all that is washed away. It is your character and ability to work together that separates you. I value all of the people that I worked with and the unique skill set they brought to the table. Some were singers, some were great athletes, others got the job done every time they were called upon.  Above all other things, there were people who I could rely on for encouragement, a joke, to get out of the camp every other night, or to endure an evening activity or bunk night with.

Camp places you in a 24 hour, intense experience, so you bond with others quickly and it is a unique thing that will stay with you forever.  Two summers ago I was able to reunite with a few of the people I worked with at Camp Caribou. Although we are all much older, the relationships were still the same and the laughs just as genuine.  I learned the value of sharing an experience with someone and remembering the good things about them and it. All of my Caribou brothers are valuable, those I was close to and those I worked with for years. I see them now on Facebook and wish them all the best of everything that life has to offer.

There are too many lessons to include in just one day, so like the second half of the summer, tomorrow will carry us to the end when everyone will go home.

Life Lessons

No News. Is Good News!

Leave a comment
stop watching the news
Give it a shot, stop watching. What do you have to lose but fear?

I am tremendously grateful for a conscious decision I made  about four years ago to stop watching the national news and leaving the fear mongering and celebrity worship behind.

I don’t seem to be missing out on anything positive and am just as informed as I always have been, but the real benefit is the fact that I have not been subject to the consistent stream of negativity that comes from any of the national news outlets.  I think  this enables me to be happier on a daily basis.

Haven’t Missed a Thing

My initial reluctance to giving up my news addiction was that I would no longer be properly informed about current events.  Yet, using this week as an example, I am media_monkeysadequately informed about all of Donald Trump’s foolishness and how he and Hillary Clinton fared in their latest debate.   What I don’t have to deal with is the feeling the national media tries to build in you, that the world is going to end because of it. So be very, very afraid.

I have a hint for all of you, we will all still be here tomorrow and then the story will be something else and life will continue on.  It is not that I am apathetic to the plight of our nation and the fact that our politicians are really just highly paid corporate sell outs. It is a fact that as a conscious human being living on the planet, I recognize manipulation and brainwashing when I see it.

I don’t need the national media to fan those flames of fear.  Most often the fears they use are designed to get you to watch more and for the media to make more money from advertising.  With today’s lightning-quick social media, you learn of news without moving an inch, simply by looking at your phone you see today’s events and happenings as they are unfolding. There is no need for a media narrative to tell you how to think.

I am grateful that I can leave it there.  I am sad for those who experience loss, I am sympathetic to those who suffer, but I do not let it consume my life because then I would never be able to contribute to a cure.

Being an Individual Is Hard Today

By not watching the national media and blindly absorbing the version of that story they feed me, I have found that I am much more clearly able to form my own opinion about events.

By looking at how I actually feel about something, I can more readily create ideas that are uniquely mine.  If we blindly follow the thoughts and presentations of others, we are doomed to have no unique and creative thought toward problem-solving.  Being an individual today is difficult because if you don’t think exactly like someone else, then you are going to be ridiculed. This is the first step in forced conformity, to discourage individual thought and force people to accept the “right” opinion about things. Isn’t our education system based on this practice? Learn how I tell you and don’t think for yourself.

Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself

Don't fear the media
The media works hard to keep you afraid. The choice is yours

The national media makes people feel like there is something wrong with them if they don’t feel like they say you should.  Shouldn’t you be afraid of terrorism? Shouldn’t we dislike those who are different from us?  Shouldn’t we fear everyone we don’t know?  The questions go on and on, but the reason is simple.  If you are afraid you are easily controlled and if you are free thinking and problem-solving, there is no telling what you might do. You might even find a better alternative than listening to the Today Show.

Most people in the world are good, honest people who are kind to others, polite and helpful.  People do amazing things each and every day to help other people live a better life.  These actions aren’t often covered in the media because even though they are nice, they don’t grab attention.  Fear grabs attention and it doesn’t let go.  But once you leave that fear behind, you can enjoy life a little bit more.

You May Be the Answer

So today I am grateful for the conscious decision I made about five years ago to stop watching the news and to form my own opinions about the world. I encourage you to find your own path as well.  Who knows the answer to many social problems facing the world today could be solved by you.  It is up to you to decide to be your own person and think for yourself.

Related articles
Personal Growth

Books to Grow Your Mind

Leave a comment

There is nothing that has allowed me to grow and understand life on a new level more than the books I read. They are a portal into knowledge and understanding that I can only hope to comprehend adequately. I know that my personal growth has stemmed directly from my experience with books and I wanted to share a few of the most recently read that I can highly recommend to all interested parties.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

f5b978_861eea61847e45c39af1e1a019db3481This book provides simple and sensible guidance about life. It delves into the collective dream of society and the personal beliefs that we have agreed with and given power to. Yet many of these agreements are unhealthy and untrue, yet we allow them to stay a part of our lives. The book is based on Toltec Wisdom.

The four agreements are the ideas all people should adopt.  1. Be impeccable with your words. – Your words have power and how you use them is important.  2. Don’t take anything personally. People’s behavior is based on their experience and has nothing to do with you.  3. Don’t make assumptions Make sure you ask questions, speak your mind and never assume that you are sure about someone else’s thoughts. Many problems can be avoided. 4. Always do your best. This is simple advice but how many people do this in all that they do? Your best is effort is going to vary due to energy, health, time of day or any number of other factors, but if you continually give your best effort life gives back to you its best effort as well.

You can read this book over and over and get new things out of it. Also, lead to me reading other Don Miguel Ruiz books The Mastery of Love and The Fifth Agreement and also a book by Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. called The Five Levels of Attachment.

The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton

bruce-lipton-quote-3A cellular biologist, Lipton started to make some radical discoveries about the behavior of cells. They didn’t work as he believed and his experiments led to his belief that what people believe affects their cellular makeup for everything from susceptibility to disease to how happy we are with our lives.  The basics are that our development has a lot more to do with our beliefs than it does with our DNA. It is an eye opening thought and supports the findings of Quantum Physics that our power as observer dictates our reality. Worth a read because it is a positive, empowering book. You are in control of your thoughts.

Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Personally, I find Tony Robbins annoying, but I love his message. Tony Robbins does a great job tony-robbins-quotes-41presenting you with steps that you can take in order to become better at what you are looking to improve at. There are many Robbins books out there, this one was written in the late 1990’s but the advice is still relevant today. If you want to be the best that you can be, this is a good place to start.  An example dealing with problems: people have issues dealing with their problems when they think the problem is permanent no problem is permanent big or small, pervasive, no one problem controls your whole life or personal, a problem is a challenge to learn from not a personal defect in our personality.

Robbins does a great job in providing simple to understand keys for a problem and gives you a place to start making changes. And of course, there is a giant within all of us. He also has a great process for changing beliefs that can help eliminate limiting thoughts. You will definitely have more tools to be successful after reading this book.

 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

the-alchemist-quotes-deep-wise-sayings-testGreat little read that tells a vital story. Each of us has a personal legend and we need to take action to make it come into reality. Having faith in life and the world will allow a person to find all of their personal power. It is a story that all can relate to and makes you look at your personal legend. It was probably not made by watching television or losing yourself in modern media.  We are all looking for the hidden treasure that will make our lives special, but the journey is always the real treasure, as much as the destination. Positive, powerful and life altering are words I would use to describe this quick little read. It is good for the soul and will have an impact on your life. I couldn’t recommend a book higher.

The Road Less Traveled by Scott M. Peck

155061_508544769168567_1480336927_nThis book was written in the 70’s I think, but its message is true for today. It begins by warning that there is always difficulties in life and once we accept that fact, it tends to not affect us as much anymore. This book is a guide to developing a person’s true self-building more meaningful relationships and providing an understanding of your actions.  I like books that provide actions that help us along the spiritual path, I find this book a great help.

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne Dyer

wayne-dyerThis project by the late Wayne Dyer provides an in-depth interpretation of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching. The power of the Tao is all around us and the simple verses of this document allow for deep thought and personal growth on each page. Dr. Dyer does a nice job providing a connection to the modern world from each and every one of the 81 verses. Each time you read it, there are new insights that can help you develop as a person and contribute more to your family and the world. You can, in fact, change your thoughts and change your life for the positive each and every day.

Change your information and you will be learning to fly!

Fly along with me
I can’t quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own
Fly along with me
I can’t quite make it alone
Try to make this life my own

I’m looking to the sky to save me
Looking for a sign of life
Looking for something help me burn out bright

Life

High Flying Skydiving

Leave a comment

Life is a short ride and the older I get, the more I look at the value of experiences over the value of things. Sometimes we get so entrenched in the ruts of our routines that to do something totally different and outside the normal is going to make you look at everything from a different perspective. Skydiving is that kind of thing. I had never said, “Gee, I think I should go skydiving.”  But when someone you care about asks you to share the experience with her, you jump! Physically and metaphorically.

I am blessed to have a significant human who wants to do different things. So It was set to happen, I was not frightened or worried about doing it because many people have done it and most don’t die.  So I wasn’t worried and I also have been realizing more and more, there is less time ahead of me in this life then there is behind me, I had better spend it experiencing all I can, and doing what I want.  So our skydiving adventure kicked off.

False Start

We didn’t get to jump but at least we had fun. Which is easy with good company

The first time we were scheduled for our jump we got there early because we had to take a class to teach us how to be safe and sign a million forms that will absolve New England Skydive if something horrible should happen to us. We watched a video and talked about arching and not grabbing stuff behind us when falling through the air. All pretty quick and easy, but there was one problem, clouds. If it is too cloudy then they are not allowed to jump because there is a danger they would open the chute and float into a tree.

Since we didn’t have control over that we enjoyed the time hanging out waiting to see if it would open up. It didn’t and we had to reschedule for the next week. Having been there before was a help because you knew what to expect and what the preparations would be like. This time it was high skies and we were definitely going to be falling out of a plane. Reality sets in.

Power of Heights

All people have a natural and healthy fear of heights. Some are debilitated by it and others handle it easily. I am able to compartmentalize the concepts. I know we are high up and that is different. As we rode up in the plane, we weren’t all that nervous and we were looking forward to the experience. It is like anything, the anticipation can get you if you think about it too much. Really, you have no idea what to expect, but you soon will. Mastering a height of 14,000 feet is incomprehensible until you are at that height and about to let gravity take its course. Even though you know it is pretty safe, there is still a chance, a small one, that your last moment could be coming up shortly.  But you put that on the back burner and do what you have to.  I was trying to take in the whole experience as we got higher and higher.

Free Fall

Time is a human concept created to allow us to organize our activities. I know this is

No turning back!

true because once I jumped out of a plane, there was a minute or so of free falling. Just falling really fast somewhere between 120 and 160 mph.  In that minute, a thousand new experiences and thoughts came to me. Playing it back in my mind, there is no way that you can put the label of time on it.  I was being videoed during the fall so I thought I would be cool and calm while falling to the ground. Look at any of the pictures and that is far from what came out of me. Here is a short list of the sensations, thoughts, and feelings I remember. There was a feeling of joy and peace for the experience.   There was no fear -I felt uniquely happy, it is like being a kid again and doing something, without expectation or responsibility, just for the fun of it and that expression came out, uncontrollably.

I was laughing throughout the whole thing.  Nobody would know it because I was moving so fast but it was the laughter of the soul that doesn’t come out too often. As adults, we spend our time suppressing our emotions and not letting people know we are happy, sad, mad or anything.  In fact, we do this so well it becomes uncomfortable to see others express emotions. But in the free fall joy was the feeling

I couldn’t control my smile or my laughing

and expressing it was not only desirable but unstoppable.  -It is cold up there, it was 90 degrees on the ground, up there falling was cold, not freezing but comparatively cold.  I think I would compare it to a crisp day in November.  – When the emotions flow out of you uncontrollably you remember the good parts of emotions and the love of life that connects you to everybody and everything.  Then the cord is pulled and you jerk up and the fall is over. Was it a minute, an hour, or a day? Who is to say. It was in that moment where I had my only real moment of doubt, would the parachute open? It did and we were relaxed and floating.

Floating

The floating part was somewhere between 5-10 minutes as gravity did it’s slow work and pulled us toward the ground. My jump partner made small talk, “There is Lake Winnepesaki over there.”   and “The ocean is out that way!” But honestly I wasn’t listening, I was just trying to put it all into perspective and understand that I was still thousands of feet above the ground.  We worked our way down and I looked to find my significant other floating in the sky and she survived too. We worked our way to the ground and finally landed with a thump on my butt. It didn’t hurt and I was happy I had the experience and I didn’t get motion sickness or anything.

What I learned

First I learned that the change in temperature from the fall to the ground was significant and I started sweating a lot.  But more importantly, it has taken days for the experience to sink in. It still is a little bit. All of your worries of today really don’t mean anything more than your mind makes them. You can leave them behind free falling in the sky. I think my life did flash before my eyes and I know I am happy about some of it and not as happy about other parts. There are things I am afraid to do and that really seemed silly in the circumstances.  Who cares what others think of you or your life choices. It is silly.

The long-standing refrain of thought that has been guiding me, took even more significance. I have less time before me than behind me, make the most of it and experience all the things you want to.  Spend time with the people you want, do the things you want to do and make choices based on how your heart thinks.  Absolutely reject the judgment of others it is only giving away your power.

Would I do it again? Yes probably, but not today or tomorrow. There are other mountains to climb and experiences to have, but I will carry this experience with me always.