A Peaceful Jump (Exclusive Skydiving Video)

Changing Our Narrative

By Willis Cooks, MSSA MNO, LSW

“You tripping, you should stop, only white people do that”. When I tell people I skydive, these are a few of the many comments I get. Some are very supportive while other comments are negative. Yes, skydiving is dangerous, fun, scary, exciting, and many other things. However, the common attribute many skydivers would say is that skydiving is peaceful, extremely peaceful.

On one side of fear, you have the typical feelings of anxiety, stress, and nervousness. However, on the other side of fear, you have peace, bliss, and a clear mind. This is what skydiving gives me. It has turned into a coping skill that allows me to escape from the stressors that come with life. However, the biggest thing with skydiving is that it gives me something that I can call my own. Skydiving is a coping skill and this skill is something that works for me and me alone. There is a level of appreciation and peace that comes with knowing that you have an escape route that you created yourself.

The common thread many of us have is stress. With this stress, how are you coping? Are you allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by it? Are you dismissing it and running away from it? Or are you facing it? No matter the method, we all have to find a way to cope with it. However, finding coping skills is hard. Many of us do not know where to start, while some of us may have a coping skill but skill just isn’t working. 

The challenge here is to do something different. Do something you’re afraid of. Do something that none of your friends are doing. Surprise yourself, because this will allow you to find a coping skill that you can call your own. Having this type of coping skill allows you to escape from the world. We all need a break from life, our friends, and our family, skydiving gives you that. 

One coping skill does not assist with every problem and skydiving will not assist with every type of stress that comes our way. We need to have a toolbox of coping skills in which we are ready to pull out whatever tool fits the problem. Within that box, we all need a skill that will allow us to get away. It does not have to be extreme like skydiving but it does have to be something that allows you to delete yourself from the world. We all need a break from life, let this skill give you that relief.