My First Sky Dive

So all week I've been waitng, expecting, anticpating, hoping for a special DVD to arrive in my mailbox. Well my special DVD arrived and I am pretty pumped to share the results with you. My wife viewed the video for the first time with me, and only then did she realize that filming my jump cost extra. But hey she asked me how much it cost to jump right? In the English world we call that semantics. I am honest to the core, but I was a little embarrassed to let her know just how much it costs to jump out of a plane. Was it worth it? In one word: YES!!!!! If you've been reading my blog you'll see I'm a fan of the adventurous spirit, and I like to dabble in that spirit every now and again. I believe in life we should do what makes us happy. I believe in taking chances on things even when you won't be sure of the outcome. Spreading your wings and flying in education means taking a leap into something new, in the hopes of finding a new learning experience, that hopefully improves on what we did yesterday. But, if it doesn't, then at least you tried. As a teacher I tried all kinds of things, and sure some of them bombed, but I'll never be sorry they bombed. Even things bomb for me as an administrator. Sorry to tell you that I'm going to keep trying until we find what works best and right for everyone. In the end it's about learning and empowerment: for children, our students. So the nitty gritty on jumping...I was calm as a cucumber, I felt like I did when I was an athlete and had a big race coming. I zoned out, I did the systems check while we waited, and only when it was too late did I decide I could be nervous. Of course I had to go first and look out the flimsy door the whole way up. But...when I viewed this video I noticed something. Right before I jumped I smiled. Now I don't remember that smile, but it was there and it belies the nervousness I was feeling 10 seconds before. And then elation arrived as I sped towards the ground. Behind my marriage and the birth of my children this is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. Enjoy.

Comments

[Kathy VanEssen]

Totally worth it! Still on a 'contact high' from the 3 of you!

[Becca Gottschalk]

I agree with you, Mr. Bruns! I just did my first skydive in June, 2010 and found it to be thrilling! And, I think it is important for each of us to "stretch" ourselves in life - even if it is scarey or even if we might fail.

(I am Diana Mach's cousin. She has told me wonderful things about your school and all the staff there. Now see if you can talk her into skydiving!)