Undergraduate / My Life; FALLING THROUGH THIN AIR [3]

Supplement essay
Much of the work that students do at Emerson College is a form of storytelling. If you were to write the story of your life until now, what would you title it? Why? Please be brief (100-200 words).

My Life; FALLING THROUGH THIN AIR
"Don't look down."
I feel the words echoing in my head. Yet it only takes a moment for me to realize the absurdity of this statement. Only a fool would neglect the curiosity to absorb what surrounds me. Majestic trees stare back, along with rest of my group standing on the ground far below. They seem to be in another dimension.

The task is simple enough. We are to climb 30 feet up the pole, hoist ourselves onto the platform, then...jump. The camp calls it the "Leap of Faith". Before, when I was strapping on my harness, it had hardly seemed like anything. After all, what's 30 feet to a teenager rooted firmly on the ground?

Now I stand on the platform, trembling. It crosses my mind that the camp has a "Challenge by Choice" policy. If I wanted, I could say the word and the counselor would let me climb back down the pole. But already I know this isn't an option anymore. It isn't just about the jumping. It's about controlling this shaking sensation that's spread from my knees, to my breath to my confidence. It's about trusting enough to let myself go.

I close my eyes tightly, counting slowly in my head..one...two...Three...

Before I know it I'm back on the ground. The ride was only seconds, yet my hair is swooshed in disarray and my cheeks are flushed red with excitement. I smile as the counselor unhooks my harness. I know the experience was worth every moment of terror. A feeling of peace washes over me as I think, "this is my life".