Living out of the shell is great … it’s the only way to get light and grow. But, getting out of the shell can be tough.

First, like a baby bird, you have to crack the shell. If you are smart or lucky, you start chipping away early.

It becomes tougher to get out as you get older. The shell might be harder and you are not as strong. Or, maybe the shell has become very, very comfortable. The view inside is pretty limited but it’s familiar.

Sometimes it takes drastic measures to get out …

happily out of the shell

I could not have done this without peer pressure from the truly super nut Ty, fellow nuts and first timer jumpers Joanna, Maria and Burke, and just plain nuts, Steve and Ellyn. Maria lives out of the shell, but had never flown in a plane before. Not only did she jump out of the plane, she also lost her both her sneakers and socks during her fall.

jump knocked Maria's socks off.

Now that I’ve cracked my shell, maybe I can learn to dance.