You are champing at the bit impatiently

What if?

For weeks you have been waiting for this moment, and now you finally get to; your first free splash in the pool. You wet your toes by the side and ask those who have jumped in how the water is. Splashing around happily, they call out that you should come too. It is fun, and you want to jump in as soon as possible. But then, suddenly, there is that fear. Because the water is deep, you start to hesitate. What if you get water in your eyes? What if this, what if that. You let go of your mischievous joy and start worrying about all the 'what if' scenarios.

What is the worst that can happen?

You decide not to jump after all and run quickly back to your mother. Sometimes it seems as if growing up comes with limiting yourself. You build walls around yourself and no longer dare to jump. No longer allowing the enthusiasm that initially made you move to take hold. Why don't you just jump? You can always go back; you might be wet, but you'll dry off eventually. At most, it will take you some time, but you will be one experience richer.

We are cutting ourselves off from our freedom

Many 'children' no longer dare to take the leap. They are no longer reminded to be carefree and happy, but to think. Not to feel, but to dive into reason. We have become the 'what if' generation. We too are children; we have only a physical body, which by now may be getting on in years. But our soul is young, like a child. Mother Earth, Father God, we are like the children who are allowed to play in their paradise. But we no longer dare. We do not close our eyes to 'the silence within ourselves,' but we close them to the possibilities we have. The freedom we are allowed to experience and seize.

Join those who dare

The swimming pool is there to be enjoyed. To play in. But we prefer to watch others have fun and forget ourselves in the process. That we may participate in the creation of life. The experience of pleasure. Dare to feel young again. Dare to experience again what it is like to be carefree and reckless like a child. To take that step. Just to jump. What can really happen to you? The water catches your jump and your body will automatically find its way back to the surface.

Actively seek out the thrill

The water makes you feel free. As if you are weightless. It gives you the freedom to move. Maybe next time you will even dare to jump off the diving board. Make it a little more exciting for yourself. Don't just get your toes wet. Jump in! Go for it! Live your life to have fun and enjoy it. Life is too beautiful to just watch from the sidelines.

Previously published on January 8, 2014