On one of those scenic drives to the Smokies, me and my wife stopped by at Pigeon Forge. I wanted to try bungee jumping. In my late twenties I thought, if not now, when? Without a care in the world, I paid for my token, and climbed up all the way to the top of the jump. In a few minutes I was all set, the final hook was latched, and the helper said, Go for it, sir, you’re up! 

I looked down. I’m up? An instant chill ran down my spine. For the first time, I realized what I signed-up for. What felt like a fun game so far, seemed like a colossal effort now.  The camera was on! I started wavering. Do I really need this? Is this a thrill at all?

No pressure, Sir, go for it! Can you give me a li’l push? No, sir. I’m not supposed to push you, you’re on your own now.

Even as the camera was on, I started reconsidering my leap. I looked down one more time, and finally decided this was not my thing. Not today, for sure. I started my slow decent down the stairs.

Back in the car, we laughed about it, a heartful one at that. We joked that we’ll try a roller-coaster first, then get back to this one. For the rest of the trip, we did what we came for, our eyes feasting on the breathless views all around the Smokies, trekking and just having a good time.

In the next couple of years, we drove through Pigeon Forge a few times, and we often discussed about the jump that never happened. We discussed how some would just go in and do it like nothing happened, while some backed-off just before the leap, and some would never try. The misadventure (if I could call that) came back to me, and made me think, over and over again. All along, I was only thinking about the pleasure after the leap, but not the leap itself. I heard stories of bliss while swinging, but no one really discussed their fears. To be fair, after the leap, very few remember how it felt just before it. The only stories that remain are of the joy of the swinging in the middle of the sky.

After much consideration, I thought, I should give it another try. I wanted to put many questions to rest. I wanted to validate my theory, that with the right mental prep, I could still do it. The next time we went to smokies, the bungee was on the cards. We stopped at that same old familiar place, got myself another token. I took a slow and calculated pace to ascend those same stairs again. Safety belt on, and the rope latched, I heard the familiar voice – You’re up sir, go for it!

One look down, deep breath, and I took the plunge as I leaped into nothingness! The leap that gave me food-for-thought for over two years. The leap that answered many questions. The leap that proved to me, that I can learn through failures. The leap that gave me a lesson or two. I realized that this was the leap that mattered. And I was in bliss for more than one reason!