I’ve always wanted to go skydiving. I presume it’ll be, hands down, the most terrifying thing I ever do… and that makes me eager to go for it! The anxiousness of stepping on the plane, rush of adrenaline and fear all built up while falling from the sky, and lastly the relief of the parachute opening as I soar to my destination is a really great comparison to how my past 7 months in Ireland have been. I recently had a conversation with Aimee and she told me one of her favourite quotes “you have to fall before you fly” which is exactly what inspired this blog. I think it just about sums up how life goes.
I remember how anxious I was this past summer waiting to embark on my adventure here in Limerick. I had no idea what to expect but I was beyond thrilled and grateful to have been chosen as a Victory Scholar. When our flight first touched down in Dublin the rush of adrenaline began to run through my veins. I was ready to meet the kids, see all of Ireland, play basketball, get to class, and coach! I hit the ground running… a bit too fast. I didn’t realise how difficult my adjustment to living abroad would be and now here I am in the fear section of my skydiving adventure. Truthfully, I never thought about what it would be like to move 3,000 miles away from the one true support system of family and friends that I’ve ever known.
Looking back at person I was in August compared to now, I see a lot of change. I won’t lie, there have been nights when I’ve cried myself to sleep wishing my mom was here to experience this with me. I’ve woken up feeling exhausted from the endless hours of work and lonely without my closest friends. I worry about the future and what lies next, feeling hopeless being so far away from the comfortable life I knew so well. I don’t think there is any way to mentally prepare yourself for moving away from home for the first time. All I’ve known for the past 22 years is Connecticut and the people associated with it. To truly be on my own, day in and day out, is part of this once in a lifetime experience.
I’m fearful that my parachute won’t open as I fall out of the sky. But that’s the beauty of life… we fall right before we fly. I have to look at the positives: my angel is across the pond with me, that my hard work both in the classroom and on the court will pay off, this sense of loneliness is me gaining my independence, and most importantly to remain hopeful for all future adventures. Change is never easy, but it is necessary. I tell the young girls and boys that I coach to strive to exit their “comfort zone” and try something new in practice. I’ve watched my players develop so much since I first arrived here. We’ve had our fair share of ups and downs but I’m watching these athletes grow into wonderful young men and women. We pick each other up when we fall and fly together as a team.
I only have 3 months left in Ireland. That’s it! I’ve learned a lot and become a much stronger individual. I’m blessed to have been given the chance to be here; a chance I almost gave up in fear of leaving my “comfort zone”. I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for anything. It hasn’t been easy and that’s the best part. So, rather than fear my parachute not opening, I will continue to enjoy the exhilaration of falling from the sky. When the time is right, I’ll fly. My advice is simple: fall hard and you’ll learn how to soar.
You Never Know How Strong You Are Until Being Strong Is The Only Choice You Have
