By Devialini Desouza- Fractional CFO
We all have that bucket list—those wild, must-do experiences before we bid this world goodbye (and hopefully embark on some other exciting reality). Skydiving had been on mine for years, teasing me with its thrill and absolute madness. And finally, a few years ago, I got my chance to cross it off—on the stunning shores of Diani Beach, Kenya.
Now, let me paint you a picture. I found myself staring at a tiny, rickety plane that looked like it had survived one too many adventures. As I climbed aboard, my inner voice screamed, Are you absolutely out of your mind?! And honestly? Maybe I was. People had often pointed out my streak of craziness, and as I strapped myself in, I seriously started to believe them. But with my husband cheering me on, I took a deep breath and stepped into the unknown.
Inside the plane, my tandem jumper—a dear friend and seasoned pro—secured me tightly to his harness. The engine roared to life, and up we went, climbing to 10,000 feet. My stomach wasn’t just full of butterflies; it felt like an entire insect kingdom had set up camp inside me. But despite the nerves, when I glanced down at the breathtaking expanse of Diani Beach, I knew this was going to be something special.
Then came the moment—jump time.
I stood at the open hatch, wind rushing past me, my heart hammering in my chest. Every logical part of my brain yelled, Nope, nope, nope! But the part of me that craved adventure screamed, GO! And before I could process what was happening, we plunged.
For the first few seconds, sheer terror took over—I was free-falling through the sky at exhilarating speeds. My breath caught, my mind raced, and then…something shifted. Fear gave way to pure, unfiltered bliss. I felt weightless, floating in the vast, open sky, utterly connected to the world around me. It’s almost impossible to put into words, but in those few seconds, I felt closer to God than ever before.
And then—yank! The parachute deployed, jerking me back to reality. The free fall had lasted a mere five seconds, but those five seconds changed me forever.
As we drifted downward, the ocean stretched out below me, welcoming me with open arms. The view was surreal, the moment intoxicating. And before I knew it, we were back on solid ground, my feet sinking into the warm sands of Diani Beach, my heart still racing with the thrill of it all.
So, what did I take away from this heart-pounding, gravity-defying experience?
Simple: Taking a leap of faith—especially in the face of fear—can be the most rewarding, life-changing decision you’ll ever make.
And let’s be honest—I’m already itching for the next crazy adventure!