It was late summer in the early 2000s at Strawberry Reservoir. My siblings, my first wife, and I had climbed about 20-30 feet up a cliff and were preparing to jump into a deep portion of the water near my dad’s anchored boat. One after the other, everyone took turns jumping off the cliff—everyone except me.
It wasn’t the heights that froze me, but the fear of the water afterward. I walked to the end and backed off for almost an hour. Finally it was time to leave, and jumping was easier than climbing back down. So I jumped.
As you guessed, I absolutely loved it.
I pled with everyone to stay long enough for me to try one more time. When I got back in the boat for the return trip to our campsite, the thought kept repeating, “Why hadn’t I jumped sooner?” It stung that everyone that saw my elated face asked the same question. More than once. Fear didn’t win the war, but it won many battles that day.
In my 40s, I’ve sat on a similar metaphorical cliff looking into a familiar body of water. I’ve felt called to leave teaching for the past three years. I’ve walked to the edge, and backed off into financial security, but also knowing the risk it posed to my soul. Mark Twain’s wisdom isn’t lost on me.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”
On June 3, I’ll say goodbye to teaching after 12 1/2 years. I go in pursuit of my truth. Life Coaching is my calling. Helping others see their magnificence is my gift and my passion. I’m sure it’s going to test me in all the right ways. I’m sure it’s not the easy way, but I sure as hell am not walking off this cliff. I’m sure I couldn’t live my authentic self or encourage others to do the same if I didn’t put it all out there and see where things land.
I’m jumping into the unknown, unsure of a lot, but confident in the tools and skills I bring to the adventure. I encourage all of you to do the same. Don’t wait until the twilight of this life experience to lean into what brings you true happiness.
If I can help encourage you, or help you see the magnificence you possess, you know how to find me. I’ll be cheering you all on regardless. I have so much love for this life and the experience we get within in.
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