I’m going to make 2011 an EXCITING year!! What better way to start it off then by jumping off a 35 foot cliff in Jamaica on 1/1/11.
It wasn’t the first time I jumped off the famous platform at Rick’s Café in Negril and I am sure it won’t be my last.
No matter how many times I jump (physically & metaphorically), the moment I step on the platform, my body starts to resist. Outside I’m smiling and looking confident. Inside, my heart starts to race, fear suddenly fills my veins and I want to turn away. A tingling sensation of adrenaline courses through my limbs. A chill creeps up my spine and I shudder. My inside voice tells me not to look down at the water, but I do. It looks so far away. My heart beats faster. I try to calm myself and take long, slow breathes. I look around. Hundreds of people are crowded around the cliff. They are all talking, but I can’t hear them. I force myself to look straight ahead. ‘DON’T LOOK DOWN!!’ my mind screams and this time I listen. I fight everything inside me and step off the platform.
I’m falling. Instinctively, I hold my nose with my right hand and raise my left hand straight up into the air. I don’t know why I raise the one arm into the air, but I do. I feel exhilarated plunging through the air. I want to scream, but I don’t visite site. While I am falling, I don’t look down, but straight ahead. I close my eyes for impact. A little over 1 second and at 35MPH, I hit the water feet first. WHOOSH!! The ocean swallows me whole. My body relaxes. Momentum tumbles me through the cool, silky, salt water. I roll with it. I take a quick inventory when I stop and realize everything is ok. I kick towards the surface. I break through and take a huge breath of fresh air. The sun is still shining, I feel great, life is good… J
