Being Baumgartner and Taking The Big Jump

Big news yesterday… Felix Baumgartner made a giant leap for mankind by jumping off the edge of space.

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Like everyone else, I watched the video with equal parts amazement, awe and “OMG IS HE INSANE???”

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Man, that was intense. And crazy. And amazing. And OMG IS HE INSANE??? Imagine if you were his wife, watching that jump? What would you do when he landed?

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Seriously, I really would punch him. I don’t know how daredevils’ families can take the stress. I can barely stand to watch kids engage in mild-risk play activities at the park. 

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I’m such a wuss. Maybe this is why I’m not a parent. I’d embarrass my kids to death.

So anyway back to Felix… 

After the jump, there were all sorts of stories and videos and gifs coming out all over the Internet. There was also this tweet:

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I don’t think this was Felix’ actual Twitter account, but it made me laugh. Then it made me stop and think… and then feel kind of inadequate.

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Because honestly… how are you supposed to feel great about anything you accomplish on any given day, when on the same day, some dude goes off and JUMPS FROM SPACE, breaks all sorts of records and oh yeah, collects information for NASA while he’s at it??

COME ON! No contest. I felt like such a loser… 

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…for about five minutes. Then I mentally bitchslapped myself. 

Because HELLO??!!? You can’t go around feeling like a loser every time someone else does something great! You’ll be miserable! Forever!

People like Felix Baumgartner aren’t meant to be reverse mirror images of our own inadequacy. They’re meant to remind us that greatness is possible — if you’re willing to take a risk and step out of your comfort zone into the unknown. 

We all have big jumps to take. (Figuratively, of course. Don’t be an idiot and start climbing buildings or anything.) They may not involve a space suit and superscary speeds, or be witnessed by the rest of the world, but they’re BIG nevertheless, and they’re there — just waiting for us to conquer our fear, close our eyes and take a leap.

So what’s your big jump? It’s something worth thinking about while the image of Felix flying through space is still fresh in our minds. 

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Whatever it is, it’s probably worth a shot, right? So go on. Let’s do it! Be crazy. Be awesome. Be a Baumgartner and just JUMP.  

Have a crazy awesome day, folks! :)

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