I was fifty feet above the Pacific ocean, standing on an enormous black rock in a state that was foreign to me, Hawaii. I felt that I was even with the clouds surrounding me. Hiking up the rock was the second hardest thing I had to do that day. It was a trial and error because of how slippery it was, and my chacos could not grip the rocks. Finally getting to the top, I noticed my bloody knees and legs and thought, “never again.”  All around me I heard little voices yells, laughter, and cries.

The voices around me were those of children who were five to ten years younger than me. The little girls and boys made jumping off of Hawaii’s famous “Black Rock” look easy. I was never one to pass up an adventure despite my horrific fear of heights. I was so nervous to jump that a few eight-year-old girls had to talk me into it, “Come on, it really is not that bad. I have done it three times already,” as they held my hand. They were not wrong; I had worked hard to climb up, and there was no way to figure out how to slide down the rock without tearing my legs up in even more. The girls all told me, “Watch us!” so, I did.

Eventually, there were no more children to go in front of me; I was on the rock alone. I looked down which was a horrible mistake, and my heart dropped to my toes. However, I decided not to turn around, embarrass myself, and disappoint the little ones who waited for me down below. After all, jumping was the easiest way down. So, for my ego’s sake, I took one breath (thinking it was my last) and took the biggest leap of faith in my entire sixteen-year-old life.

I was in the air for what seemed like hours. Even with my eyes closed, I felt the wind in my face, the cheers of the girls, the laughter of people from my high-pitched scream. I have never felt more proud of myself than at that very moment. I did not let my fears define me, and I was able to take control of myself. Finally, reaching back to earth, I felt the surface of the water with my dirty Chacos. Suddenly, the beautiful, clear water surrounded me. With a smile from ear to ear, I started the swim back to the shore.

Looking back now, it is one of the greatest adventures I gave myself. Not only was it

fun, but it is also an experience I will never be able to do again. The feeling of flying is something I never had before, and I am blessed to say that I was ready to face my fears. My only regret was not opening my eyes to see the beauty surrounding me in the seconds before touching the water.