The Jump

  About five years ago, my family and I went on a trip to Oregon. It was an amazing trip filled with adventure and enjoyment. However, one event on that trip stands out as something that changed my life forever. On the fourth day of the trip, I found myself standing atop a 30 foot high rock overlooking a briskly moving river. I had scaled the rock with the intention to jump off into the frigid, piercing water below, but I could not bring myself to jump. A surge of fear hit me like a tsunami, and I was paralyzed atop that rock. Disastrous thoughts clung to my mind like leeches . I was stuck in a state of uncertainty: should I jump or walk back down in humiliation. Fear had corrupted my mind, and I began to walk back down the rock. As I was walking, I realized that I had made a fool of myself. I had bitten off more than I could eat. As I saw my sister, mom, and dad laughing at me, my emotions changed. Fear was replaced with determination. My worries were repossessed with hope and conviction. I got back on that rock and looked down at the seemingly miniscule drop below. What had once seemed like 30 feet now felt like 10. What had once felt like frigid water now appeared to be warm and inviting. My entire perception of the world had changed. Instead of seeing everything from a cynical lens, I now saw the world as filled with opportunities and challenges. I preceded to jump off that rock into the depths below. Even though the actual temperature of the water was around 60 degrees Fahrenheit , it felt as warm as the Caribbean. I was filled with adrenaline and pride. My family was cheering me on from the bank, and I had never felt better. I was in my own world; a world filled with happiness, opportunity, and no challenge that I could not conquer. For the first time, I was not afraid to fail or take on any challenge that was in my path. I had overcome my fears, worries, and complaints and replaced them with courage, conviction, and optimism.