By Paul McGowan From PS Audio

Standing at the edge of the diving board, my toes curled in a death grip over its end, my heart feeling like it’s going to jump out of my chest, I take the plunge and hit the water.

That wasn’t so bad! Why was I so terrified of jumping?

I do it again and it’s easier the second time. And the third. But this is only the low dive. 

I shudder at the sight of the high dive.

When I’m afraid of something I am unable to talk myself off the ledge. No amount of reasoning and logic seem to help—even when I watch a 6 year old leap off the high dive with the abandon of an ear-to-ear grin.

What’s wrong with me?

Some of us seem born risk takers while others are naturally cautious. I find myself somewhere in the middle. I want the rewards but sometimes am afraid to take the plunge.

I think that’s simply the way of it.

I never did make it off that high dive, but I sure did have fun once I mastered the low one.

SOURCE: Paul McGowan