Taking The High Dive

Something hit me after my three mile run in West Long Branch, New Jersey this past fourth of July weekend. It was 95 degrees and the last time I remember sweating so much was when I lived in Israel, a dessert basically. When I got back from my run I jumped into my in laws pool with my clothes on when no one was looking. As the cool water washed over me I caught the diving board from the corner of my eye. Now, even though the diving board has always been there I hadn't dived since high school over ten years ago. I thought to myself why not? I took my first dive and plunged into the water head first, feeling like a bird finally released from my cage. After that first dive, I could not stop, I kept getting out of the water only to dive back in again and again and again. I must have dived 10 times in row.

Why was this feeling so amazing and why could I not stop? Suddenly it hit me! Here's a little story you might not have known about me. I started off high school not being able to swim. When everyone was diving I was in the shallow water walking back and forth. They called us, 'the shallow people.' I remember looking at my fellow classmates diving thinking that I could never do that. Le sigh. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year and my gym teacher, Mrs Fleishman, finally felt like I was ready for the deep end. Towards the end of my senior year I worked up the courage to learn how to dive. I stayed after class, often times until 6 pm (class ended at 4:45) just practicing. I was the last one out of the pool every time. And then it happened, right before the end of my senior year, I achieved the impossible, I was diving like I never thought I could and I was addicted.

Diving at my in laws house brought me back to a time where I conquered my fear and persevered. When I did not let my negative self talk get in the way of achieving my goal. If I did it then, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that I can do it now and so can you.

Plunge into the wild unknown!