It was a nice sunny day, the wind was low and it was a perfect day to go skydiving. I was so excited about the jump that I totally eliminated any sort of fear. I was with my friend, who also had enough courage to go skydiving. Although we probably both had fears that day, we knew we couldn’t admit it. I’m sure if one of us said that we didn’t want to do it anymore the other would have agreed.
Before the jump, they show you on a generic platform the maneuvers you need to do in order to have a safe, fun, jumping, experience. Finally the wait was over and it was time for us to get our equipment to jump. They provided us with a jumpsuit. and from there you meet your instructor that you will tandem jump with. A tandem skydive is when a student skydiver is attached to the harness of a skydiver instructor. The instructor lead us to the airplane,when I saw the airplane. I looked at my friend and said the airplane was not in good shape for first timers. It looked like it needed a great amount of work done to it in comparison to the airplane that was parked right next to it.
The inside of the airplane was no longer than 3 feet. There was only one chair in the airplane and that was for the pilot. The two instructors instructed us on where to sit. The instructors and my friend was sitting opposite of me with their legs bent due to limited space. I was seated with my knees bent right next to the pilot but facing the crew. We started on the runway and I began to get a little nervous because the pilot left the door open while he was speeding up the run way. I asked him if there is a reason why the door is open? He said "he was trying to get a breeze before he closes the door because it gets very hot in the airplane." The pilot closed the door right before I started panicking and the airplane lifted. The noise from the airplane was very loud and I couldn’t engage in a conversation with the crew. I started to have a conversation with the pilot. I asked him if he ever skydived before and he said "No, I would rather fly the plane".
The pilot informed me that we were at 8,000ft and in 5 more minutes we will be at 10,000. I didn’t know how I felt about that information because I knew at 10,000ft it would be time for me to descend. He asked me how I was feeling. I looked out the window and I couldn't see houses anymore. All I could see was blue and clouds. At that point I must admit I told him I was scared.
I learned something new that day. I learned that I need to stop worrying about the past that doesn’t exist anymore. I need to stop worrying about a future that never comes, because although we plan for the future. We still live it out in the present. I chose to live in the present from that day on. When I was free falling there was no past or future all I had was the present. That is enlightenment.
Before the jump, they show you on a generic platform the maneuvers you need to do in order to have a safe, fun, jumping, experience. Finally the wait was over and it was time for us to get our equipment to jump. They provided us with a jumpsuit. and from there you meet your instructor that you will tandem jump with. A tandem skydive is when a student skydiver is attached to the harness of a skydiver instructor. The instructor lead us to the airplane,when I saw the airplane. I looked at my friend and said the airplane was not in good shape for first timers. It looked like it needed a great amount of work done to it in comparison to the airplane that was parked right next to it.
The inside of the airplane was no longer than 3 feet. There was only one chair in the airplane and that was for the pilot. The two instructors instructed us on where to sit. The instructors and my friend was sitting opposite of me with their legs bent due to limited space. I was seated with my knees bent right next to the pilot but facing the crew. We started on the runway and I began to get a little nervous because the pilot left the door open while he was speeding up the run way. I asked him if there is a reason why the door is open? He said "he was trying to get a breeze before he closes the door because it gets very hot in the airplane." The pilot closed the door right before I started panicking and the airplane lifted. The noise from the airplane was very loud and I couldn’t engage in a conversation with the crew. I started to have a conversation with the pilot. I asked him if he ever skydived before and he said "No, I would rather fly the plane".
The pilot informed me that we were at 8,000ft and in 5 more minutes we will be at 10,000. I didn’t know how I felt about that information because I knew at 10,000ft it would be time for me to descend. He asked me how I was feeling. I looked out the window and I couldn't see houses anymore. All I could see was blue and clouds. At that point I must admit I told him I was scared.
I started to imagine how my instructor was going to attach himself to me. Then while attached, how will I plant my feet on the platform outside of the airplane? The platform we were trained on was about 2ft wide and long. The platform on this helicopter was about 8in long and wide. I couldn’t come up with a solution from my limited inexperienced thoughts and that made me very nervous. I was so nervous that I talked myself out of jumping. I was ready to ride back with the pilot and meet everyone on the ground. The pilot looked at me and told me "this is your stop." My instructor got on his knees because he couldn’t stand up in the craft and asked me if I was ready. I said no I’m scared. He said “To late for that there is no other way down besides jumping.” He also said it was normal for me to feel that way. He instructed me to line myself in front of him so he could attach me to the harness. He opened the door and all that wind and noise scared me. I said "oh hell no," but it was too late. I was already floating in heaven at least that's what it felt like. Whatever thoughts of fear I had remained in the plane. The free fall was the most amazing feeling I have felt in my life! It is hard for me to describe it in words. I had no thoughts or worries I was just in the moment. Although my free fall was no longer than 30 seconds it felt like eternity. I literally forgot I was free falling. I was actually shocked when my instructor pulled the parachute. When he pulled the parachute I became aware. My instructor asked me how I was doing. I said, "wonderful! I wish the free fall was a little longer. "
I continued to enjoy my drift in the air. I loved the scenery. I was amazed that I was not scared of looking down based on how high up I was. I actually enjoyed it. It is a totally different view from up there. I saw the ground getting closer, which meant it was time for me to land. My instructor instructed me to lift my legs and he lifted his legs also. We landed in a sitting position. My instructor detached me from the harness and I immediately looked up for my friend. After a minute I could see them heading down. They landed standing up.
I couldn’t wait to ask my friend how his experience was. My friend told me that it was amazing especially the free fall. He couldn’t even describe it in words all he could say was it was amazing and that he would do it again. I told him I agreed.
What do you do to clear your mind?
Blogs are posted on Fridays. Feel free to comment and share. If you have a topic you would like me to discuss share it in the comment section or email osborne.tracie@gmail.com
Have a enlightened week on purpose,
Tracie Osborne
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