Dropping In

I stood at the top of a quarter pipe (similar to a half pipe but only one side) with a skateboard beneath my feet. My friend gave me an encouraging thumbs up and said "Remember what I told you. You got this!"

I recounted his advice in my head. "The thing with dropping in is you have to go all in. Just slam your foot on the top of the board while you shift your weight forward. Otherwise, you will fall right off."

I took one last gulp of air as I peered over by board and then went for it.

My skateboard flew beneath my feet, down the ramp, and across the pavement. My body did not follow - my arms flailing about like a balloon tube man outside a used car dealership. I came to a halting stop after sliding down the ramp on my knees. This attempt was enough to appease my middle school friend obsessed with skateboarding so I didn't feel the need to try again.

Making a commitment with my whole self should have been enough. That is what it takes to land the trick after all.

But, making a commitment for my own self might have been the real trick. That way I would have kept trying.