Freefall

There was a time in the past. A time when the only things you were afraid of were monsters hiding in your closet, and the bogey-man under your bed. A time when you could run and run for hours at end without breaking your pace, or sweat.

There was a time in the past. A time when all things were colourful and beautiful. Even that crayon drawing of a crooked house seemed very much alive. A time when bedtime meant fairy tales of princesses and goblins and witches and magic.

There was a time in the past. A time when you were learning how to crawl, walk and run. A time when you were learning the workings of a bicycle, and how to get on it. A time when you were falling and falling and falling over and over again.

It was during this time in the past. This time when falling seemed like nothing compared to the things we would learn after that.

Imagine if you were afraid to take that first step, for fear of falling. Imagine if you were afraid to get on that bicycle, for fear of pain. Imagine if you were afraid of sleeping on the upper bunk, for fear of rolling off it.

Where would you be, if you had been afraid of falling all your life?

Do you still remember that time when you took your first step? How many times did you fall? And how many times did you get back up again?

Do you still remember that time when you got your first bicycle? How many times did you fall and hurt your knee, ankle, elbow and shin? How many wounds did you get? How many times did you cry? And how many times did you get back up again?

Dare you freefall, just that one more time?

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Photos are of the Rere Falls, 30 mins drive from Gisborne.