Living in Hawaii as a kid was great fun, with some awesome adventures—my favorite place from around the world as an “Army Brat.” We lived on Schofield Barracks where there was a huge Olympic-size swimming pool with amazing tall diving boards.
I suppose it was while in a class, we were given an assignment to climb the diving boards and jump off. I remember climbing all the way up there, but then I just couldn’t get the courage to jump off! I don’t remember how long I stayed up there trying to get up my nerve, I only know I finally climbed back down . . . all the way back down!
I wonder if my climbing back down off that high dive was the start of my commitment to not ever give up—to never chicken out—again! Oh, it might take me hours—or days!—but I finally find somewhere inside the gumption to push through the fear—whether it’s rappelling off a cliff, parasailing, or just sharing something about myself that’s really scary. I knew somewhere inside I had it—that courage. My go-to response seems to have often been, “I can’t! I’m too scared! What if . . .” But at some point I’d dredge up that courage and go for it. I’m a big scaredy-cat, but eventually pull out my Superwoman costume from somewhere!
Invariably, once I’d do it, I’d think, “Wow! That was fun!” or “That wasn’t so hard.” And, “Why did it take me so long?!” The not doing of it was worse than the doing. It seems Hawaii gave this “Army Brat” yet another adventure . . . Bring on Superwoman!