somethinelse 0 #1 August 5, 2004 Funny, how this sneaks up on you, isn't it? Don't really know how the change came, but I really feel like this sport is a part of my spirit now. Just realized this yesterday...! Kinda interesting, how it "morphed" me... QUESTION: WHEN did YOU find that skydiving stopped being JUST something that you DO and became something that you ARE??? It'd be VERY COOL if we could talk about this! -LILA. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #2 August 5, 2004 Mmmm. I don't think I'm there yet. Is it nice? tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
towerrat 0 #3 August 5, 2004 I had just landed from my first jump, a tandem. I knew immediately that I was where I belong.I was long overdue for a change in focus, and skydiving worked for me.Play stupid games, win stupid prizes! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #4 August 5, 2004 It might surprise you how many of us are fighting to make sure that it remains simply something we do and not something we are. As great as skydiving is, if you let anything become so all consuming as that then you run the risk of missing out on the rest of life. Find a balance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #5 August 5, 2004 If Skydiving ever defined me completely, I think I'd be a pretty boring person. It's certainly a fun way to spend a weekend, but there's an awful lot of other good things in life, too. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bosveld 0 #6 August 5, 2004 The first time I was on the DZ was when I was 12 years old. Waited around for 4 years and when I started jumping I had such a big expectation. When I finally did jump it was so much different than I imagined that it took me a couple of jumps just to get used to the new idea, as I thought I had it sussed out. I'd say after about 150 jumps it gradually became more and more important to me. So I couldn't tell you the exact jump or moment. In fact I think every jump I still do builds on that awesome realisation. It propably won't stop for 100's of jumps and hopefully 1000's, hopefully never. Regarding the find balance in life theory, I tried that for a couple of years. I gradually grew further and further away from the sport till I realised my life sucked, cause I'm not jumping enough. I don't care that skydiving now rules my life, it's my choice and the plan is to make a living out of it one day. Suppose it's different for everyone? Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, will be true! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #7 August 5, 2004 Hey, at 14 jumps,too. How about that? Kind of an addictive personality, huh? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
michaelflying 0 #8 August 5, 2004 my 1st two waywww.skydivekzn.co.za Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckbrown 0 #9 August 5, 2004 QuoteKind of an addictive personality, huh? In skydiving????? Say it ain't so!!!! I do agree with the balance perspective. Now if I can just regain my balance ... maybe this winter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #10 August 5, 2004 QuoteQuoteKind of an addictive personality, huh? In skydiving????? Say it ain't so!!!! I do agree with the balance perspective. Now if I can just regain my balance ... maybe this winter. It ain't so. Happy? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 7 #11 August 5, 2004 QuoteFunny, how this sneaks up on you, isn't it? Don't really know how the change came, but I really feel like this sport is a part of my spirit now. Just realized this yesterday...! Kinda interesting, how it "morphed" me... QUESTION: WHEN did YOU find that skydiving stopped being JUST something that you DO and became something that you ARE??? It'd be VERY COOL if we could talk about this! Funny, I always thought you became a mature skydiver when it became something you did, not when you use it to define yourself. But what do I know?"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PrairieDoug 0 #12 August 5, 2004 QuoteAs great as skydiving is, if you let anything become so all consuming as that then you run the risk of missing out on the rest of life. Find a balance. I like this perspective. Skydiving is fantastic and I want to progress a lot further in the sport, but not at the expense of everything else. I recently took up whitewater kayaking to have something to do when it's cloudy or I just want a different kind of thrill. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #13 August 5, 2004 I think for a lot of people that's a phase. I've moved back to "it's something I do", although I must admit it's something I do a lot, and I've had some confrontations between skydiving and other things. -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #14 August 5, 2004 If skydiving were to be the definition to me of who I 'am', then I'd say my life would have to be: my job is skydiving my hobby is skydiving I would not be married (my opinion on this changes hourly) I would not have dates anywhere other than female jumpers and all the dates would be at the DZ I would not have kids I don't have any other job/career other than skydiving In other words, no problem if skydiving is 90+% of my life. Then it would be cool. (Sometimes sounds tempting) If not, I'd be worried that I'm looking for a real identity and this is an easy one to default to. Then that would be sad. Newbies get this. Most of them get over it. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #15 August 5, 2004 Quote It's certainly a fun way to spend a weekend, but there's an awful lot of other good things in life, too. Skydiving is an awesome way to spend your free time. Gives you an excuse to travel, meet new people, just chill out and watch planes fly, parties, vacations, new toys to buy, maybe earn some cash or a make a living and so on. But there are a lot of other really cool things in this world to experience too. Swinging in a hammock on some sailboat in the caribbean, climbing rocks, hiking across Europe, hang gliding off the coast of california, packing through a forest, swimming with dolphins. Too damn much for one lifetime. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #16 August 5, 2004 Been trying to get my license for 2 years. And have checked out 5 dzs in my state along the way, and have had a least a quarter of days weathered out so I couldn't get a jump in. Not addictive personality, I just know what I like. I like the sense of community. I started this alone, and on my own, and have been welcomed and encouraged along the way. But it is for the thrill and challenge too, that I like this sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somethinelse 0 #17 August 5, 2004 It is not the only difinition of who I am. I am balanced about it now. I just am very in tune with my feelings, and know that something has changed. When I first was in training, 2 years ago, I was obsessed, and talked skydiving to EVERYBODY who'd put up with it , OR NOT, and was a general pain. I DO HAVE perspective, and know everybody comes at this thing from their own angle. It's not ALL that I am, but I feel it IS a part of me now. AND I acknowledge that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goose491 0 #18 August 6, 2004 Quotemy 1st two way Yup! Me too. It's that joy of having something in the air with you. Visuals and reference... makes it so much more like flying. When I started skydiving I knew it was for me. My first solo was an experience that I'll never forget. My first two way was the day I knew I was to be a skydiver. My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #19 August 6, 2004 QuoteFunny, how this sneaks up on you, isn't it? Don't really know how the change came, but I really feel like this sport is a part of my spirit now. Just realized this yesterday...! Kinda interesting, how it "morphed" me... QUESTION: WHEN did YOU find that skydiving stopped being JUST something that you DO and became something that you ARE??? It'd be VERY COOL if we could talk about this! -LILA. Hmmmm....Something that I am? Skydiving is not who I am, it is part of what I do. Who I am is a daughter, sister, and friend. What I do is skydive, ride motorcycles, shoot guns, play paintball, walk, workout, etc. I love the sport, but it is not who I am.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #20 August 6, 2004 There are changes in perspective and mental tools that you get from skydiving. Thinking about those things and thinking about other things from a new viewpoint has made me a different person. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjules 0 #21 August 6, 2004 I completly agree with mat. Don't get me wrong, skydiving is a big part of my life. I try to jump every weekend, but there's lots more stuff to experience out there. I don't want to miss out on anything. I love skydiving but keep an open mind, mix it up a little. ***Free bird Forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ahegeman 0 #22 August 6, 2004 Well put, Cora. Skydiving? Paintball? Shooting? And you're a "business analyst"? You're not single by any chance, are you? Lila, I love skydiving, but you can't ever let any one thing define you. Its too easy to lose. Of course, maybe you don't really feel that way. Being a newbie myself, I certainly know how easy it is to get carried away by this new, exciting, and unique thing we do.--------------------------------------------------------------- There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'. --Dave Barry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
malboy 0 #23 August 6, 2004 i agree that skydiving is not the only thing in life, wed get bored of it soon enough, there are a hell of a lot of other things which make life worth living, but i find that the skydiving lifestyle includes so much of these things, adrenaline, visuals, friends, etc. that it might not be the only thing in life worth doin, but for me its certainly the BEST www.ewancowie.com www.facebook.com/ewancowiephotography Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pccoder 0 #24 August 7, 2004 I think what you are feeling is that liberation, doing something which makes you feel like nothing else ever has. Probably because most of us don't do anything else in our lives which has such a lasting effect (being dead if we screw up). PcCoder.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blitzkrieg 0 #25 August 8, 2004 Lila, you rock! be whatever you want... my first jump i knew this was for me forever. QuoteIt might surprise you how many of us are fighting to make sure that it remains simply something we do and not something we are. As great as skydiving is, if you let anything become so all consuming as that then you run the risk of missing out on the rest of life. Find a balance. personally for me, the only balance i need is keeping the beer steady in the tractor when i'm mowing the DZ... ~E Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
