<div class="mceTemp"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/LeapofFaith1.jpg"></a></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd"> </dd></div>
<div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_688" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 310px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P92201781.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-688" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P92201781-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Jump! aka feel the FEAR and do it anyway</dd></dl>

<p>Back when I was a kid, I practically lived in the water every summer.  I learned how to swim when I was teeny tiny in the pond outside my grandparent's beach house.  By the age of 6, I was swimming across the inlet that led to the bay.  By the age of 8, I was jumping off the 10 ft. high dive at the community pool.  I had no FEAR. </p>

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<p>This past Memorial Day, I was at my blog Svengali's pool.  (From now on, I will refer to him as one of his 3 nicknames:  Sven, Svenny or Svennykins.)  We climbed up the large rock formation at one end of the pool to soak in the view. </p>

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<p>After oohing and ahhing over the beauty of our desert surroundings, Svenny leapt off the rock into the pool.  I approached the edge and...Chickened out. </p>

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<p>It seemed too high.  It seemed too shallow.  It seemed too scary. </p>

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<p>Svenny assured me that if I tucked my legs I wouldn't hit bottom.  The deep end was 6 ft.  I was entirely safe. </p>

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<p>I heard my nervous Nelly mother in my head.  She warned me about mishaps that occur when people dive into water that is too shallow.  They sever their spinal cords.  They are paralyzed for life. </p>

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<p>I remember as a kid reading a library book about a girl who suffered this very fate.  She was an artist, and since her arms were paralyzed, she learned how to paint with her mouth.  You can read her story for yourself at <a href="http://www.joniearecksontadastory.com/">http://www.joniearecksontadastory.com/</a>. </p>

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<p>I sheepishly climbed down off the rock and joined Svenny on the deck.  I glanced back to the mountain of rock, but now it appeared to be more of a molehill.  Was I really scared of a molehill???  It's amazing what a shift in perspective will do. </p>

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<p>I announced to Svenny that I would return to his mountain/molehill for a Leap of Faith!  But could I please do it after my refurbished blog was up and running?</p>

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<p>Svenny looked puzzled. </p>

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<p>Because I will have 365 days to fill!!!  And I just love the symbolism behind this -- changing one's view and putting things into proper perspective and all!!!  What great writing material!!!</p>

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<p>Svenny rolled his eyes.</p>

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<p>Fast forward to Day 8.  I head over to Svenny's house for my Leap of Faith.  This is going to be a snap. </p>

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<p>Svenny opens the door and immediately starts rambling on about FEAR acronyms.  This is one of the things I admire about Svenny -- he's a guy that actually thinks about cool stuff -- but honestly, we need to get 'er done so I can get home and crank out a blog post.  </p>

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<p>And Svenny can't quite remember the entire acronym -- something about expectations not realized or something like that -- and I'm frankly starting to get nervous with all of this FEAR talk.  Somehow I manage to distract Svenny and corral him out to the pool. </p>

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<p>Svenny disappears to the side of the house.   I have no earthly idea what he is doing until I hear running water and notice that there is now a waterfall cascading down the mountain/molehill.  I ask Svenny if this will make the mountain/molehill surface too slippery.  He stares blankly at me.  I shut up and climb up. </p>

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<p>Did I say that this was going to be a snap?! </p>

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<p>Ugh.</p>

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<p>I revert back to Memorial Day.  FEAR resurfaces. </p>

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<p>Svenny is stage-right with a camera.  I explain to him that I am really, truly unnerved. </p>

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<p>He waxes on about acronyms.</p>

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<p>I explain to him that I don't think I can do this. </p>

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<p>He reminds me to tuck my legs, and I will be fine.</p>

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<p>I ask if any adults have jumped recently. </p>

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<p>No, but several kids did at his last pool party. </p>

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<p>I ask if any of these children were larger children.  (I am the size of a large pre-teen.)</p>

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<p>Yes.  I sense an oncoming eye roll. </p>

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<p>An eternity passes. </p>

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<p>At this point, I can care less about "conquering a fear".  I am freakin' scared!  My main motivation in taking the plunge is that if I just do it, this little self-growth exercise will be over in a split second, and I won’t have to think about and implement something else for Day 8.  Pathetic, huh?</p>

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<p>I also feel guilty for taking up Svenny's time when he is smack in the middle of a project for his upcoming book. </p>

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<p>So...I...</p>

<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/LeapofFaith1.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/LeapofFaith1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a><br class="spacer_" /></p>

<p>FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real</p>

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<p>You know how the story ends, right?  The leap isn't as terrifying as I make it out to be, and I am elated for showing up and following through. </p>

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<p>I am also relieved that I didn't cave into the other FEAR = F*** Everything And Run!</p>

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<p>Thank you for holding me accountable, Blog Fans and Svennykins.</p></div>