Life doesn't suck

[Dirtsucks 0]

When I decided to make my first jump, a couple years ago, I naturally told everybody about it. I was just so excited, and after I made my first, of course I told everybody about that, too. I thought “Man, I’ve really done something awesome!!” So I told people about it, and got the typical whuffo response. You know, “you’re crazy”,”why”, all that BS. At first it actually felt good, knowing that I’ve felt something that they’ll never know. But now, looking back on it, I lost that feeling. If you do anything in you’re life that is a huge accomplishment, people that are close to you will support you, tell you “good for you!” and stuff like that. But if you do something as “stupid” as throw yourself out of a plane, those same people won’t give a shit. Since then, skydiving has been in my head almost constantly, to the point of obsession. And I had become depressed because of it. I knew that I WANTED to do it, but I’ve never done anything out of the ordinary in my life, and that desire seemed out of place. I didn’t understand it. How could such a normal person like myself want to do something like that? I’ve listened so many times to people giving me the same old generic advice – “go to school, get a career, get married, buy a house, start a family, …be a whuffo” The sad truth is, I started to believe it. I certainly don’t mean to say that those things are not important, they definitely are, at least to me. What I mean to say is that those things are not all life has to offer. There’s so much to do, so much to experience. But I started to forget about that. And the dream of flying I had started to fade, and eventually, died out completely. I had such a feeling of emptiness, like I’d lost a part of myself, but I still dismissed it. I thought that it was time to stop being ridiculous and start being realistic. I’m not like that, I’m not the kind of person who does crazy things like jump out airplanes, or dive underwater just to look at some ship that sank before I was born, or to hang from the side of a cliff by my fingers, hundreds of feet up, for no reason other than just to do it. Thanks to a good friend (you know who you are, thank you), the feelings I once had have returned. I have a new respect for all of you who don’t limit yourselves to any standard of society. Who have given the finger to being ordinary, normal. If there’s anybody out there who has taken skydiving for granted, whether you want to admit it or not, I just want to say “DON’T!” I look up to you all. A short while back, I would have said “sorry about the long post”, but not now. I refuse to feel guilty about expressing how I feel. I can’t wait to skydive again, and when I do, all the threaders here are going to have some seriously long posts to read.
Friend to everybody out there who is, or dreams of, being extraordinary - Josh

[froggie 0]

josh,
thankyou for posting... Like i said the other day, details make us who we are, and sharing those details make us the friends that we are. Im proud of you that you didnt give it up, and hey, now youve got a new perspective. youve learned from a difficult experience. Congratulations. youve won the grand prize~insight.
bye!
froggie

[Zennie 0]

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I have a new respect for all of you who don’t limit yourselves to any standard of society.

There are standards? Holy smackerel, am I hosed!
------------
Blue Skies!
Zennie

[Albatross 0]

You listened to them, that was your mistake. Congratulations for reclaiming yoursalf. Now you know "to thine own self be true". Live life for you not for them. Most people watch life go by don't ever let yourself be like them.
Blue Skys and Safe Landings
Albatross

[lazerq3 0]

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. How could such a normal person like myself want to do something like that? I’ve listened so many times to people giving me the same old generic advice – “go to school, get a career, get married, buy a house, start a family, …be a whuffo”

I have to admit thats exaclty what I did, except instead of school I went into the USAF. But after all that I'm still in the processes of becoming a skydiver. S just goes to show you if you want you can have it all or have what ever you want. dont worry about what any one else thinks or says. you gotta do wht makes you happy. Although let me give you some advice. If you can get your skydiving down while you are single. I'm by no means rich but I'm also not to poor and with a house wife and kids it can make it hard. But the way I look at if it takes more time for me than so be it. I've got my hole life to learn!!!
jason

[cloud9 0]

First I don't think skydiving is abinormal, since the beginning of time man has wanted to soar like an eagle. Now we have the technology. The way I see it you can't let the fear of dying tomarrow, stop you from living today. Anyway you sound like your on the right track so do what pleases you. For one day your fear and their fear of dying will be realized.and what you do between now and then is all that will matter.
Some fun eh!

[Iflyme 0]

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“go to school, get a career, get married, buy a house, start a family

Josh, I'm a college grad, career in broadcasting, own a 3000'sq ft house, married almost 17 years with 2 kids. AND I skydive. I'm also a licenced scuba diver. And I wasn't too bad on the skiis last time I went up the hill. And I weightlift, and I love astronomy. Dude - you can have it all!!! There are rewards that come with every aspect of my life (except cleaning this big fricken house)... Don't hold back: if you want something, work hard to achieve it. Skydiving is just one aspect of our lives (well, just one BIG aspect). If you have a dream, fight to make it come true. It's all out there, just waiting for us to come and get it. And you are right about the whuffos - don't let THEM hold YOU back. You gotta march to your own beat. You don't want to be 75 years old thinking "man, I wish I did that when I was a whipper-snapper". It sounds like you are on the right track now... GO FOR IT!!!
Frank

[Deleted 0]

Never Listen to the nay sayers they don't understand the true human potential. We all want those certain things like a soulmate and the other(sometimes I think) fallacies of life but there are so many things to experience, how can someone limit themslves I'll never know. Live YOUR life to the fullest to YOUR STANDARDS whatever it may be. It's always good to see fellow people feeling the same frusttrations but fighting the norm and obtaining true freedom. Live life, be happy it's yours do what you will you and only you truly feel consequenses(at least when your single and without children), so live.
RatherBJumpin76

[skymama 37]

face your fears, live your dreams!

[Dirtsucks 0]

Hey, thanks everybody. I really appreciate it. It’s really easy for me to forget why I need to try so hard to make my life meaningful to ME and not everybody else. Just need a little reminder now and then I guess. Keep jumping everybody (like I need to tell you that!)
Josh

[Head 0]

Hey kids,
I'm new to the forum and I'd like to say...go out and get it all!!! Frank is absolutely correct. There is no reason that you can't have it all. I'm married (to a skydiver of course!), in my last month of Physician Assistant school, and own a drop zone. And I'm only 25. Now don't get me wrong, I work my ass off! But that is the beauty of life...free will. You choose what you do with your life and go out and do it. It doesn't last long enough as it is. Don't let anyone make the short time you have here a bummer!

[Deleted 0]

  Quote

If you do anything in you’re life that is a huge accomplishment, people that are close to you will support you, tell you “good for you!” and stuff like that. But if you do something as “stupid” as throw yourself out of a plane, those same people won’t give a shit.

Hey Josh, this part you wrote I can really identify with. Some of most important people in my life congratulated me on mundane acomplishments, but when it came to showing them my skydive photos and video they didn't have a word to say. What a let down... I mean, I think skydiving was probably one of , if not the greatest barrier I've overcome in my life. (Getting my A licence is #2! So, I've had to 'leave them behind' (mentally & emotionally) because it was always my dream and love it just too much. They cannot define what I am...
Cheers,
NewGuy

[Deleted 0]

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I think skydiving was probably one of , if not the greatest barrier I've overcome in my life. (Getting my A licence is #2! )

Haha! I had a job interview one time, and they gave me this "Personality Test" one of the questions was "What's your greatest achievment" and I put "Becoming an "A" licensed skydiver"
-wb

[cloud9 0]

In the words of Evil Kenevil (I would rather be a dried out, washed up has been, then a gutless wonder, and never had been at all). Well said Bobby!!!!!!!!
Some fun eh!

[skreamer 1]

Hi Mandi
First of all welcome! Always good to see more ladies joining us here.
I just have to ask you, how did you choose that nickname? Because my dirty little mind is having a field day thinking about it!
Also, why don't you list your dropzone on the database? (you're skydivewichita.com right?) I had a quick look and only saw skydivekansas there.
Sounds like you have a really full, busy life and work very hard - luckily I don't! (work hard that is, I fill my time with other stuff)
/s
[drop till you party!]

[Head 0]

Hey Skreamer,
Guess I should set the record straight on my nick, huh?! I'd love to say that it has some great sexual story behind it, but no, that's not the kind of head I'm nicknamed after. My husband gave me that nick while we were still dating. We watched the movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer" and there was a kid on there with a huge head. His father called him Head and my hubbie thought that was just so damn funny. However, let me assure you, he is a very satisfied man on the other end of that nick!
And yes, we are skydivewichita.com. The only reason I haven't posted us is that I'm working in western Kansas right now and I don't have our address with me or memorized either. As soon as I get back home I intend to post us. However, you can visit the website if you haven't already. It's probably in need of being updated though!
By the way, how do you avoid working hard and get to have so much fun? I was going to try that once but couldn't quite live the way I wanted to...and medicine called to me too much.
Well, good to hear from you. I'll get that dz posting asap!Later!
Head