Bloukrans...

I know I've overused the picture in my short time on social media. But it expresses more from my gut than I can put into words. Heights, you see, have never really bothered me. But edges, and the thought of jumping... falling, makes me clinch parts of my body I shouldn't discuss. I vividly remember once in my teens being frozen on top of a railroad bridge truss at night. The tracks were thirty feet below to my right and the shallow muddy South Canadian River was seventy feet below to my left. My friends were walking on top of the arches that I clung to with a death grip. One even walked in between the trusses on a four inch wide beam. Why I joined them, I have no idea. Again, this was at night! And no, no alcohol or illegal substances were involved. Just sheer stupidity, testosterone and terror! 

I had heard about Bloukrans Bridge when my daughter and I committed to going to South Africa on mission several years back. Because of Bloukrans Bridge I almost didn't make the trip. I knew that to go meant to face my fear. Somehow or another, we would end up at Bloukrans Bridge, home of the Guinness Book of World Records highest commercial bungee jump at 708 feet. I almost didn't go, I thank God I did.

That's a person in the red circle!

On the plane from Washington Dulles to Johannesburg, RSA one of our group was sporting a shirt from his previous Bloukrans experience. On the back in bold letters it read, FEAR IS TEMPORARY, REGRET IS FOREVER. That's sobering and challenging. The front of the shirt reads, FACE YOUR FEARS. (I now have one!)

As I scooted out to the edge of the platform overlooking the gorge dividing the Eastern and Western Capes of South Africa the mantra banged around in my spinning head... fear is temporary, regret is forever. I was there because I knew when I left Kansas City it meant facing my fear at Bloukrans. "Three... Two... One... Bungee!" yelled the dudes that strapped me up (and they were truly dudes). The swan dive you see in the picture was on purpose. I knew there were cameras. But I didn't know how much that picture would mean to me later; or what it does inside every time I see it. 

LEAP! ...fear is temporary, regret is forever...

I crossed the Fit50! starting line yesterday. (And no, I wasn't... "indisposed" (see last post) when the starter's pistol was fired). I was out of town on business. After dinner - during which I was forced to wear a chicken hat and do a chicken dance as punishment for being born on that day - I hit the hotel elliptical and treadmill. (Fit50! after all). Afterward, as I sat in my hotel room contemplating fifty, I flipped on the TV. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was on. There is a scene where Walter long boards down a winding Icelandic road toward a volcano. It is a beautiful picture of the freedom that comes from taking a LEAP. 

So I don't want to do it often, but tonight I'm reflecting just a little on the starting line. Fifty is a little surreal. I don't feel it... I'm told I don't look it - but really, what are people supposed to say? The fitness goals I'd hoped to attain by the Fit50! starting line... I'm there! (I'm actually going to have to go buy pants that fit this weekend). 

What do I hope to accomplish in this Fit50! year? Some of my goals are a little too personal for public consumption and some are still being formulated. In Chariots of Fire Eric Liddel says... "I believe God made me for a purpose. But he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure."

So, here are the two blanks I'm working to fill in, and I'm laying down the same challenge to you... I believe God made me for a purpose. But he also made me ___________. And when I ________, I feel his pleasure!!!

For now...

D