even when you're not totally sure...just try it! Learn how to TRUST | Trapeze School of NY

Why would I sign-up to throw myself off a platform – 23 feet off the air?

Why would I do something that’s not even in my bucket list?

Since when did I have entries in my bucket list?

Just for kicks?

Temporary insanity?

Mid-life crisis?

Or is it because of the  “I am woman hear me roar” voice that keeps nagging me to just try it?

Or am I a kid-at-heart that trusts that there is just nothing I can’t do?

Well, I wasn’t sure, but I tried – and yesterday, I did it!

But I didn't do it alone! 

My friend who’s turning 40 in a couple of weeks (great age by the way – nothing to fear) shared a link (TSNY): Trapeze School of New York 

As you can see, the school’s motto: FORGET FEAR. – is exactly the first step to clicking the button to sign-up for your first class.

So early this month, I booked our first session. I figured my friend and I have 3 days before the actual class to back-out – just in case we come to our senses!

I was amazed at how tough it was to find a reservation. Who knew people have signed-up weeks and months ahead of time?

My husband suggested that I do a few strength exercises – aside from carrying the laundry baskets up and down the stairs, or moving the heavy Dyson vacuum cleaner around the house. So needless to say, I started Beach Body’s Insanity work-out!

The night before I was starting to question myself. “Why, oh why, am I throwing myself off a platform 23 feet in the air?”

But then…it dawned on me, I have to trust that I know my own strengths and limitations. At 47, I should know what I can and cannot do, right? And If I get there, and realized that I can’t jump off that platform – it’s alright. At least I tried.

The main thing you have to remember when you’re at these classes is that you have to know how to LISTEN. Not just hear the instructions – but actually be focused enough to hear!

The lesson took 2 hours. There were 9 students. The 4 before me were in the advanced program, and I was the first in line for the beginners!

I thought there will be a few dry-runs on lower grounds, but I was wrong. Instructions were given and before I can even digest which arm or leg goes up or down – there I was going up the ladder!

The harness was tightly secured around my waist (I hoped anyway) – it was so tight, my belly fat was screaming out of my tights (lol!) That alone, I believe, was the most embarrassing part of the whole lesson.

Once you’re up there you have to :
1) TRUST - others and yourself
2) FOCUS
3) LISTEN
4) JUST BREATHE - and of course, pray!

The first time you let go of that left hand to fully hold on to the trapeze bar, for me, was one of the scariest! But once I did my first swing, I had a feeling I would survive that first jump!

With the 2^nd jump, who would have thought I would be able to do a back flip before letting go and falling to the net?

Of course my entire body was shaking – I was so discombobulated that I totally forgot to video tape my friend’s jump.

The 4^th jump was about totally letting go and trusting someone I didn’t even know --- but trusting that he would catch me – and he did (the same went for the 5^th jump).

On one of the sessions, the instructors were showing us how to position our hands for the “catch-and-grip” and he noticed my dry hands and asked, “What do you do for a living?”

My answer: “I’ve been a mother to four kids – 22, 20, 16 and 10!” (And quietly I added, “And how cool is it that I’m here?”)

But I wouldn’t even think of doing this if it weren’t for my friend, my fellow looney – Sonia. We’re two moms who will always remain kids-at-heart! Curious to see what our future adventure will be like!
In life, we have to have friends! I am blessed to have a wonderful family and friends.

The day wasn’t just about fun – it was a lesson in life: Learn how to LISTEN and TRUST others and yourself!

Sometimes we think we know our limits, but we don’t really know until we step out of the box and try it.

There are things I can’t imagine doing like driving at Route 22 in New Jersey -- that is by far scarier than doing the flying trapeze!

And yet, there are still a lot of things I would like to learn. I’m 47 and I’m still growing-up – still learning a few tricks here and there BUT one thing is for sure: I do all these for one reason: TO BE HAPPY.

So write down your goals – Dream BIG and Keep Smiling!