How skydiving enlightened me

         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 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.

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.

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

copyright 2016 all rights reserved

Why did I walk him to school

                 I was walking back home when to my surprise, I saw my youngest son standing across the street. My heart started to race and my breaths became labored. I was shocked then became angry that he was across the street.  Let me rewind to 30 minutes prior. It was a school day and I was getting ready to walk my oldest son to school. When the weather permits my twins ride their bikes or scooters to his school. This particular morning, one of my twins decided that he did not want to cooperate. He sat on the floor and refused to put on his sneakers and coat. I gave him some time to get ready. I explained to him that if he doesn't put his shoes and coat on that he will not be able to go. I could have just told my son to walk to school by himself. I had to take his twin into consideration. He was ready to walk to his brother school. If I would of stayed it would of been unfair to him.

                   I ran out of time and I had to leave.  I did not want my son to get detention for being late. Before I left, I gave him another chance to put on his sneakers.  He continued to sit still and not move so I left him in the house with his aunt.  The three of us started walking and my son came running out the house with no shoes on. I told him that he lost his chance to come with us and he had to wait inside until we got back. 

                    I waited until he went inside before I proceeded to walk. We usually take the same route when we are walking to his school, but today because I was not walking him all the way to school, I made a left at the corner instead of crossing the street and going straight. I walked my son a couple feet into the block I gave him a kiss and a hug and told him that I will see him later. I turned back around and started to head back home as I was approaching the corner I saw my son across the street.  I intially was scared because I thought of all the things that could have happened to him while crossing the street by himself. Then that same scare became anger all in a matter of seconds. I was forced to make a split second decision on how to decipline him for his actions.

                    My initial reaction on the way I disciplined him was based on my culture and how I was raised. I started yelling at him and grabbed him amongst other things and told him that he should never do that again. As we were walking back to the house I started to calm down. I didnt know what I was going to do until I saw him in the living room. I saw a little scared boy sitting in the living room. After some deep long breaths and a lot of "whoooosahhhhhs," I was able to talk to him calmly.  I explained to him that mommy got upset because she was scared of all the possible things that could of happened to you. I told him you could of got hit by a car or someone could have taken you away from mommy.  I explained, because mommy knew all of these things, it scared her and made her very upset because she assumed you knew better. Mommy is not mad at you anymore. Just do me a favor and never try and cross the street by yourself again.

                  I asked him what he was thinking and he said he was looking for me. When I heard his reply I immediately felt horrible for my initial reaction.  Here is this little boy who just wanted his mommy. He was determined to find me. His thoughts are pure and simple, not complicated like mine. I called him over to me and gave him a big hug. He went to the bathroom and leaned on the sink and started to cry. I went to the bathroom and I sat on the toilet so I could be his height. I told him, it's okay mommy is not angry and or scared anymore. I am happy because you didn't get hurt and nothing happened to you. I know that you're not going to cross the street any more with out mommy. I gave him a hug and told him that I loved him and he eventually, stopped crying.

         When we address situations dealing with children or any situation it is best that we approach it when we are in a parasympathetic state. What I mean by that is we have two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system and the  sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system slows down your heart rate and stimulates your body to rest-and-digest. You are calm and mellow in this state. The sympathetic nervous system accelerate your heart rate, constrict your blood vessels and causes your blood pressure to increase. It stimulates the body's fight-or-flight response. Your sympathetic nervous system is activated when you feel harm, threatened or angry. When you are in this state no ones opinion matters but yours. You are in attack mode. Your rational thinking is blocked. The major problem with reacting in this state will be the consequences for your actions. Can you be forgiven? or Can you forgive yourself? When you feel yourself in this state the best thing you can do is walk away or refrain yourself from speaking until you calm down to your parasympathetic state.



What would you have done if it was your child?



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 wonderful week on purpose,

Tracie Osborne



copyright 2016 Tracie Osborne all rights reserved