My friend once said to me….
I don’t know about you, but I have been pretty happy with life. I had never really pushed myself hard physically, worked too hard or did things that scared me. I’ve thought about this quote for years. It kinda stuck with me. What I am about to tell is you don’t start truly living until you push yourself harder, do things that scare you, and enjoy more adventure and excitement while you are living. Neale Donald Walsch was right. Why did it take so long to figure out?
The movie Jaws terrified me as a kid. The thought of open water and sharks in the ocean is a BIG scary thought! Why would I ever jump in the water with sharks? That’s just crazy!
Last September, we traveled to Bora Bora. Bora Bora is a destination all about its famous blue lagoon. Boat tours are the #1 activity on Trip Advisor. Lagoon Service Bora Bora took us out on one of the biggest adventures of my life and I was out of my comfort zone!
Some of you may think jumping into a shark-infested lagoon is no big deal like my husband. Jaws ruined me. In Shark Alley, Belize I chickened out as soon as the large Nurse Sharks approached the boat. I couldn’t jump in. The fear ruled me. I was ok staying in the boat. I went home and always regretted not pushing myself to jump in the water.
In Bora Bora, I got a second chance! The full day tour consists of three snorkel stops. The first stop is snorkeling with Black Tip Reef Sharks and Sting Rays. I was nervous about getting off the boat. What if a Shark comes towards me? I lingered on the boat while everyone got into the water. My mind was racing as everyone else was having a good time smiling and laughing in the water. Sting Rays were everywhere. Didn’t Steve Irwin die when a stingray stung him? Why aren’t people afraid of these things?
Or Black Tip Reef Sharks? 
I screamed through my snorkel every time a Sting Ray approached me. One swam under me! They are called Labradors of the Sea but they aren’t as cute and cuddly as the two I have at home. My heart was racing and I was proud of myself for jumping in the water. The water felt amazing. I eventually calmed down to enjoy a swim but I truly was out of my comfort zone!
The second stop was my favorite with colorful fish and I love Bora Bora in rocks! No sharks or stingrays! No fear!
The third stop was outside the lagoon in much deeper water. Deep water makes it ocean a darker blue.
Da-Dum, Da-Dum, Da-Dum
is playing over and over in my mind. I’m ok on the boat. I don’t need to go in on this stop as a 10-11 foot Lemmon sharks swims deep below the boat. There is no way I am going in!
Do you see how big these Lemmon Sharks are?
Did I jump in?
There are twenty to thirty Black Reef Sharks in this location. Sharks swim frantically when getting fed and they don’t have friendly smiling faces. Why would anyone jump in the water with sharks?
The answer is….. I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does it still count if I stayed close to the boat? I didn’t scream this time. Instead, I observed the sharks behavior and watched them through my mask. The water was deep and there were so many sharks surrounding the group, but I did indeed jump in the water! Surprisingly, I didn’t have much fear anymore. At that point and time in my life, it wasn’t a “Bonnie Thing” to do. We ended the day with a large glasses of wine and huge smiles on our faces!
Ways to Get out of your Comfort Zone
Every year make a plan to do something that scares you. Don’t let fear stop you from pursuing your dreams. No excuses, anymore. Don’t regret the things you didn’t do! If you do, make sure you get a second chance. Don’t be afraid of the BIG dreams and ideas you have. If you are, go do something scary.
Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is only a life lesson to be learned to get you on the right road or path. Push yourself harder physically, run faster or for an extra minute longer. Hike that big mountain! Schedule something every day that makes you feel uncomfortable. Plan an adventure once a month! Face those fears and take that jump!
“Do one thing that scares you every day.” Eleanor Roosevelt
After jumping in the water with sharks, I felt confident, empowered and proud of myself for facing a big fear. This is what I wrote in my journal.
“Doing something you are afraid to do will catapult you to a new-found freedom. There is no fear. Jumping in the water with sharks fueled me to start my blog and website.” It was one of the highlights in 2016 and will be in my life.
I felt invincible getting over one of my biggest fears. Doing something scary made me feel adventurous and I felt like I was truly living life. The thrill and excitement gave me quite a rush. I faced Jaws! When you face the big fears, not much feels so scary anymore.
This weekend make a list of things you’ve always wanted to do. Pick one and go get out of comfort zone. Will you jump in? If you do, I hope you have a big smile on your face!
No Regrets, Bonnie
“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. “
Franklin Roosevelt
My next big adventure will take place near Cabo, Mexico. I want to jump in the water with one of the largest Sharks, the Whale Sharks this Fall. They are as big as buses and I still feel nervous in deep water. Will I take that jump? Keep following me to find out.