Just Jump!

In September 2011, I was blessed to go to Fiji for Life Mastery (a Tony Robbin’s event).  It was 5 Days to stop the poisoning (emotional, physical, and environmental), cleanse & detoxify, and revitalize & regenerate to live my best life!!!  It was an incredible experience on so many levels.  I learned so much, and met the most inspiring, dynamic people from all over the world!    

One of the most powerful events during the week was the infamous pole climb.  We were to climb a 58 ft tall telephone pole without a net (just a harness) , then stand on top, and jump for a trapeze target 10 ft or so in front of us.  Again, NO NET.  We were supposed to do this on the 1st day, but due to rain it was postponed until Day 4. 

I tried not to think (or stress) too much about it.  I just focused on completing it.  No expectation on whether I caught the trapeze or not.  OK, I lie!   I was freaking out inside.  I was hesitant to climb.  I kept thinking if I didn’t catch the trapeze, then the jump or shall I say journey was a failure.  OH DOOLEY! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? I realized the truth there.  IT’S THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION!  Whether I catch the trapeze or not, I MUST CLIMB & JUMP!  My new friend Karen reminded me, “Just jump, whether you catch the trapeze (ie your initial goal…or what you thought you wanted), you will be supported (and get what you need).  You always will.  So jump.”  This hit home, I have a business I want to grow, but don’t know if it will “catch” or not, so I have been timid on jumping.  I must JUMP and know I’ll be supported.

So, I decided to climb and jump for the trapeze.  Not labeling it good or bad whether I catch the goal or not.  JUST JUMP.   (see a theme here???)

I start my climb.  It’s fun and easy at first.  I visualize the climb is my life and then I switch to thinking it’s about my relationship with my boyfriend Mike.  (And by the way, he’s brilliant! Mike and I met this past June.  FYI…I’m 37 and Mike is 35.  Great guys ARE out there.  BELIEVE! We clicked right off the bat and I invited him to Fiji.  Funny, I had enough miles to fly myself business class to Fiji.  However, I the idea wasn’t settling well with me.  When I asked myself what would be better, I answered flying to Fiji with my boyfriend.  I didn’t have one when I booked my ticket, so I booked coach. I booked Mike’s ticket soon after I met him…just a month later!)  So, Mike was here with me in Fiji until Day 3.  We came together for a week before the event.  But I digress, back to our story…

Now I’m climbing higher and higher.  Like a relationship, the beginning is super fun, carefree, and easy.  However, the higher you go, it gets a bit challenging.   We know the journey is worth it, so we move forward.  On one step, I lose my footing a bit.  Old fears sink in, “Can I do this?  Does he really love me? All of me?”  YES!  So I breathe, remember how fabulous I am for even putting myself out here, and keep going.  What pulled me to the top was the phrase, “All that I need, is within me now.”  I probably said it 50 times while taking the finals 2 steps that got me to stand on the top of the pole.  It’s those last two steps that get you…so close to your goal and so challenging.  I think this is where many people give up…not realizing how close they are to victory.  I thought about Mike and then about many of my previous relationships.  In the past, when that tricky step came up, I got scared and climbed back down (or tumbled down in a few cases.)  But not this time, it’s different.  I’ve enjoyed every step with Mike.  I know it won’t always be easy, but the hard work will be worth it.  And even when scary stuff arises (like tough conversations and communicating feelings…not my favorite pastime), I must face my fears and
keep climbing.   It will be worth it!

Honestly, I had to turn OFF my head, and focus only on my heart.  I wanted to get to the top. That’s the only thing I could focus on.  To turn off the distractions of my head, I went straight to my inCANtations.  My favorite being, “All that I need is within me now!”  I said it over and over and over again. “All that I need is within me now! All that I need is within me now! All that I need is within me now!”  And with that, I found the courage to take the last steps.  Knowing if I slipped, I’d be ok.  Something would catch me.  But I didn’t slip…I took those two steps and stood up on top of that 58’ high pole.  Hooray!!!  I let go of the wire from the harness, and stood tall and proud!!!  OMG!  It’s GORGEOUS up here from the view at the top.  Why didn’t I try this years ago?  What was I so afraid of?

I had a few major “breakthrough” moments on the trip. Here's what I learned:

Lesson #1: Never focus on fear, get in an empowered state and ROCK IT!  (for example, use inCANtations on stage for my next show.)  It’s never as bad as you imagine it to be, usually, it’s pretty easy.  JUST DO IT!  So, I’m at the top, and it’s beautiful!  I noticed when the others before me climbed, they were so focused on catching the trapeze that they didn’t stop and enjoy the view.  They got to the top and instantly jumped for the trapeze. Not me! 

Lesson #2: Appreciate all that you’ve accomplished and created. Don’t immediately rush to the next thing.  Pause, celebrate, and enjoy!  This is especially true in dating!  Don’t worry about rushing things.  Enjoy the climb and getting to know each other.  That’s my attitude with Mike.  

Ferris Bueller said it best, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” So I stayed up top for a minute or so.  I enjoyed the view.  I gave gratitude to Fiji, my friends cheering below, and to the universe for blessing me with my outstanding life.  It was good fun!   But we can only celebrate for so long…then it’s time to grow some more.  You know the saying, “we either grow or die.”  Time to grow with the infamous trapeze!  However, I was no longer concerned about catching or not catching the trapeze.  I just knew I HAD TO JUMP, and I’d be supported.  I found my strength from Madonna and her song called, “Jump.”  Lyrics go like this, “There’s only so much you can learn in one place.  The more that I wait, the more time that I waste.”  I shouted this from the pole top, adding, “I’m starting my business, and I’m starting it NOW!”  And with that, I leaped off into the sky, not knowing where I was going, but knew I was where I needed to be.  Sometimes our only form of transportation is a leap of faith.  And guess what…  wait for it…wait for it…

I CAUGHT THE TRAPEZE!!!  WOO HOO!!!  The crowd goes wild!!!  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   And then the crowd shouted, “Let go!”  WHAT?  Let go???  I never thought that far.  I have to let go?  And drop?   I hung there for a minute.  I forgot…even when you make your goal…there’s the next goal…which can be scary too.   Fortunately, I had another inCANtation in me, and I let go to float gracefully (who’s zooming who, I added a little jazz hands) to the ground. I was met at the ground to so much love and hugs from all!  It was incredible.  I realized in that moment
how powerful this activity or shall we way journey was.  If I could sum it up in a word: JUMP!!!  Or as Nike says, “Just DO it!”  Life loves you and me.  It will always be there to support us.  If you want something, go for it. Talk action and do it NOW.  Whatever you need, will catch you and support you.  You may not hit your initial goal or what you thought you wanted, but you will discover such rich treasures along your journey.  Any you’ll usually find, it’s so much better than your original goal anyways. 

Xoxo,
Dooley

Ps.  My last lesson was the most important of all. I’ve been wanted an amazing boyfriend for a long time. Mike came to Fiji with me and our time together overlapped with my Tony Robbin’s Event for 3 days.  On Day 2, we spent my afternoon break together with a relaxing couples massage at the spa.  It rocked!  I realized I didn’t want to go back to the event while he was still here. That night we were learning about relationships.  Wait a second…I’m actually in one, and it came with me to FIJI!  Instead of learning about relationships, I chose to live it! I took a day break from the seminar and played with Mike until I had to drop him off at the airport on the afternoon of Day 3.  We had an amazing time, and I was back just in time for the pole climb on Day 4….funny how life works out! 

Lesson #3:  Implement!  There’s a time to learn and a time to DO.  Realize when everything you strive for is in front of your face.  Pause, breathe, and LIVE IT!  Or as I like to say, “Just DOOLEY it

​This article was originally written January 2012.  Mike is now my husband and best friend!  Since my jump in Fiji, Mike and I took our biggest and best leap together when we got married August 29, 2013.  I can't wait to see what new heights and leaps of faith we'll take together in the future!   With Mike by my side, anything is possible!