Jump!

JUMPED:
1. Push oneself off a surface and into the air by using the muscles in one’s legs and feet.
2. To move suddenly and quickly in a specified way.
The theme this month with school starting is about LEARNING. So I was thinking what experience had I had that allowed me to learn something in an unusual way? Then, I did an age regression, in my mind about 20 years, and remembered the time I decided it would be okay to jump off of a bridge! I could feel the adrenaline again rushing…
(Age Regression Begins … Imagine Rich now back in his earlier days…)
I was reading through a Reflections Magazine … and saw an ad for a “Bungee Jump” over the Green River. Curiosity gripped me as I devoured the rest of the article, and thought that would be a nice challenge. So, I picked up the phone and called the Bungee Master in charge of tomorrow’s jump.
Opps… they were over capacity, and I could come, but depending on time and energy I might not get to jump. I would be on the end of the retrieval ropes pulling other jumpers back up. If it went fast enough, and there were enough around to pull me up, then maybe… I decided it was going to happen and headed out to a bridge 200 feet above the Green River.
The learning started immediately. One of the gifts of being an “introvert,” who can rise to challenges, is I observe a lot. I listened intently to the instructions, checked out the four bungee cords and harness, and grabbed the rope … at the end of the line.
One of the presuppositions we live by in NLP is:  “What’s possible for others is possible for me.”  So, I watched to see how it would be possible for me.
A couple of seasoned jumpers moved up to the head of the line.  I watched as they safely snugged into the harness, and saw the instructor edging them up to stand on the cement railing. He suggested they do a simple step forward or Swan Dive as the first of three jumps they would do today. True to form the 24 jumpers ahead of me did exactly as requested.
After the first couple jumpers, the newcomers were harnessed up and you could see the fear and hear the screams as they hurled themselves out into space … and then see the shaking bodies and adrenalized smiles as they were pulled back up. What a rush to see jumper after jumper safely having a heart pounding and exhilarating experience!
Waiting my turn and watching many of the first jumpers leaving I didn’t know if I would have a chance to jump or not. The minimum number to pull us up was seven. And, because I had helped everyone else jump, several did hang around, and it was at last going to be my turn to jump 200 feet off a bridge and fall 200 feet toward the Green River.
Having seen 24 jumps safely before me, I knew what I wanted to do was do the scariest jump first and the rest would be easy. The one jump many passed on was called “The Elevator to Hell.” It is where you turn around with your back out into space and just take a step back. Gravity drags you immediately into a no-choice free-fall. So, guess what happened?
You guessed it. I stepped onto the railing, turned around, and while the instructor was still talking I had already taken a step back and was gone.

“Aeiiiiiiii!”

What a rush! It was scary, thrilling, and amazing all at once. Then a surprise! When you reach the bottom the bungee cord stretches, and then snaps you back up about two thirds of the way up. Then you hit a moment of neutral and fall again, and again as each stretch finally settles to a stop. Wow!
When they pulled me up the instructor seemed surprised with what I had done, and said, “I guess you didn’t need much coaching, you were ready weren’t you!” Must have been the ear-to-ear smile that gave me away. Swan Dive was next! Finishing, I got one of my prized certificates to honor what I had done. It says:  “Honorary Member of The Dangerous Sports Club.”

Learning!

Ok. Pop back into time with me now. It’s 2013. You are back here reading Apositiva’s blog, probably smiling (or maybe you are imagining a jump!)
Read up on what you’re interested in. Make a decision. It’s ok to be first, last, or anywhere you feel comfortable. Pay attention to the instructions. Watch others do something until you can get the feel for it. It’s okay to have a little bit of scary nervousness. You can still do it. Your first attempt is only practice and you’ll get better with each attempt. At the end … stop and enjoy what you’ve done. Good Job!  Remember:  “What’s Possible for Others is Possible for You.”

Your Turn

We’d love to take you on a Jump into a “Hero’s Journey!” We work together by using proven processes.  Hypnotherapy and its cousin NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) can be amazing steps to help you navigate your Innerspace. You can redesign or redefine your Possibilities and get a better outcome. Let us show you how.
Discover it here. Connect with us. Call Rich or Cat at Apositiva for Counseling, Coaching and Training 503-525-0595 or email me at rich@apositiva.com.  Remember the upcoming Hero’s Journey is September 11th from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.  R.S.V.P.   We look forward to being your guide.