When Your Life Starts Feeling Like A Free Fall

So, what happens when your life starts feeling like a free fall? Last night, after putting the final touches to my latest blog post, a song about laying down doubts, this question suddenly came to mind. For some, the idea might sound like a terrifying experience. But to others, it can be the most liberating experience. Let me share my experience, and hopefully, it can challenge you to look at things from a different perspective.

Here Is My Journey Into Free Fall

Some years ago, for one of my milestone birthdays, my family asked if there was anything special I wanted. I did not have anything particular in mind. However, one thing that always intrigued me was skydiving. Now, I can imagine the expression on some of your faces. My family was equally surprised. I had no desire to learn how to skydive. I only wanted to do a tandem jump with an experienced instructor. One jump to check it off of my bucket list.

Now, some of you may be thinking, Raine sounds pretty fearless. Oh, on the contrary! Jumping out of a perfect airplane kept me up many nights. But, I was determined. I wanted the experience, so I was willing to conquer my fear. The day came, and all conditions were optimal for my tandem jump. After reviewing the instructional video, which I must admit was a humorous attempt to put tandem jumpers at ease. I put on my gear, met my tandem partner, hugged my family, and away we went to board the plane.

I paid a little extra for the video package to memorialize my experience. It was so worth it. We boarded the plane, and my instructor secured us together. The videographer checked in to see if I was nervous or excited. I said I was excited because I was a mix of nerves and excitement. At about 7,000 feet, a few solo jumpers opened the door and exited the plane. At this point, there was no turning back for me. Around 14,000 feet, the videographer opened the door and signaled that it was our turn to jump.

When Facing A New Challenge, Be Brave

Before we exited the plane, the videographer asked a strange question. “Do you like roller coasters?” I told him that I loved roller coasters. He said, ” Well if that’s the case, would you like to jump out or tumble out?” I thought for a second, and tumbling sounded less nerve-wracking and thrilling. So I quickly opted to tumble out. I am happy I did. My instructions were relatively easy. A simple tuck and roll, and away we went.

We were free falling. The initial view was a beautiful mixture of sky, plane, earth, sky, and earth repeatedly until we leveled off, spreading our arms and legs out. It felt as if we were lying on a table as the sheer force of the wind seemed to keep us afloat. I was free falling, and it was glorious. The videographer was facing me while filming, and I was ecstatic. After a while, the tandem instructor spoke in my ear to get ready; he was about to deploy the parachute. I waved to the videographer, and the parachute deployed.

The parachute seemingly pulled us several feet into the air. Then the tandem instructor allowed me to handle the parachute a little, turning it to the left and right. Hanging there in mid-air felt almost like sitting on a swing. Except we were perhaps thousands of miles above the ground. Amid the free fall, I was suddenly struck by the silence. There was nothing else making a single sound. And at that moment, my mind was overwhelmed by the magnificence of this beautiful world. I began crying tears of joy. The instructor asked if I was okay, and all I could do was nod up and down. I had no words.

What Happens After The Free Fall It’s Your Choice

Finally, we make our landing or perhaps sliding, and the sky diving, free-falling experience is over. My family runs to meet me. But before that, the videographer asked me how my experience was. And I had just one word for him “Freeing.” It was the only word that truly captured how I felt throughout the experience. He also asked if I would do it again, and I said absolutely. And though I have not been back to date, that experience will always be unmatched in my memory.

So, I shared my free-falling experience, and you’re wondering how this relates to or helps you when your life starts to feel like a free fall. Well, let me tell you. While I was up there, there were no buildings or other points of reference in the sky. So I never actually experienced the feeling of falling per se. It was not like riding a roller coaster when your stomach felt like it was about to fall. You never know how fast you are moving until you get closer to the ground and, thus, the various point of reference.

Rather than fight against the situation you’re in. Chances are, it already happened, you’re already in it, and you cannot change the past. But if you are in free fall, stop comparing your current situation to what you’ve already been through. Remember, there are no reference points in a free fall, so you don’t have to feel like you’re falling. Instead, spread your wings, open your eyes and embrace life with new awareness. Today can be the start of something new. A new attitude, a fresh mindset, a willingness to forgive, or a drive to be brave. Challenge yourself. Make a choice. Boldly change your social status to I’m Free Falling. Oh, and if you’re wondering, I found this wonderful stock photo for my post online.