Not too long ago, I spent a week with my family in Costa Rica. There is much to see and do in that beautiful country. And both my kids (11 and 15 at the time) thoroughly enjoyed it.
One afternoon, we went on a boat ride to watch dolphins, witness the sunset, and enjoy dinner out on the ocean.
As part of the tour, at one scenic stop, the boat anchored and the captain invited everyone to disembark for snorkeling and/or swimming. Like I said… there is a lot to do in Costa Rica.
In addition to snorkeling, the captain invited people to jump off the top deck of the catamaran into the ocean if they wanted. As you might imagine, the teenage boys and young adults were the first to attempt the high dive into the water below. Some needed a little peer pressure, but most of the young men were more than happy to jump (and impress the girl they brought with them).
While anchored, I looked around at the other participants on the tour and began noticing for the first time the wide range of ages represented. There were many elderly people wearing regular clothes, enjoying the scenery, but with clearly no intention of getting off to swim or snorkel, much less jump 25 feet off the top of the boat.
There were also a number of young children onboard. Each of them got off the boat for snorkeling and swimming, but not a single one of them dared to make the jump.
While I was looking around at the different ages and life stages represented, my wife asked if I thought I was going to jump with the others.
“Yes,” I said. “I’m going to jump… while I still can.”
I’m 43, healthy, and in fairly good shape. I can run, snorkel, and swim. There will probably come a day when I am unable to do any of those. But that’s not today. Today, I can jump. So I will.
Besides, my son is 15. And he had every intention of jumping off that boat. I wanted to be there and jump alongside him—because I still can. And that might not always be the case.
There are moments in life that are difficult to communicate adequately with words. The circumstances are just right… the emotions are in perfect alignment… and all the thoughts running through the back of your mind are impossible to describe to another person. And sometimes in those moments, when everything is just right, a thought overwhelms you.
For me, the sight of young adults jumping off a boat into the ocean while those younger and those older watched from the sideline brought new resolve into my life.
I want to jump while I can. Because there will come a day when I cannot. And I don’t want to regret missing my opportunity to do it while I could.
On that warm evening in Costa Rica, that meant jumping into the ocean and treading water waiting for my son to follow my lead.
But I found the principle of “jump while you can” extends far beyond that one moment.
You see, not long after that boat ride, I was talking to a friend at a restaurant about raising daughters. His daughters are a bit older than mine, so I like to seek his wisdom and input from time to time.
He happened to make a comment to me about how fast time passes. “They grow up really fast Joshua, and you don’t always realize it’s happening. I’ll never forget the time I reached down to grab my daughter’s hand while on a walk and she pulled it back for the first time, and said, ‘I think I’m old enough to walk alone dad.’ Without even realizing it, my little girl had become a young woman.”
That evening, while on a walk with my daughter, I made a special point to hold her hand and enjoy the moment. “Jump while you can Joshua,” I thought to myself. Because there is probably coming a day very soon when I won’t be able to.
I have even begun to apply this mantra to the work that I do. As many of you know, a few years back I launched a digital magazine with a few friends. Simplify Magazine has been incredibly well-received with over 250,000 subscribers. We knew there was a need for well-curated material in a magazine-format that helped families focus on the things that matter most—but we had no idea this many people would sign-up.
Recently, my friend Brian and I began discussing the idea of starting a second magazine. This one though, would be focused almost entirely on the topic of money. Money is such an important topic and many people are looking for genuine help in how to handle theirs more effectively and intentionally. Out of the conversation, the idea for Simple Money Magazine was born.
Incidentally, it was this mantra of “Jump while you can,” that kept running through my mind during the decision-making process.
I’m healthy, with energy, and still enjoy working hard. I am at a good place in life to invest effort in creating something that will be genuinely helpful for people. That may not always be the case. But today it is. So I’m going to jump while I can.
I don’t know what opportunity, opening, or challenge lies before you right now. Maybe it is a physical opportunity, a business opening, a relational challenge, or something else altogether.
But let me encourage you, jump while you can.
Life changes quickly. And there may come a day soon when you are not able to jump. So make the most of your opportunities today.
Laura Lelly says
I wholeheartedly agree, Joshua. I will be 55 in two weeks and have just began traveling last year. This past week I was at some Mayan ruins in Mexico and climbed to the top of a pyramid in Coba. One of the younger members in my group commented that they were impressed I made the climb. I commented with a smile ” I did not come to Mexico to just stand at the bottom of a pyramid while others climbed to the top.” I was exceedingly grateful for the strength to make it to the top ( especially since I have arthritis in my knees) and know I should embrace every opportunity to experience life as fully as I am able for as long as I am able. These moments in life are a gift.
Susan Terkanian says
In short, carpe diem. Better yet, seize the moment: occupandi temporis. Thank you, Joshua, as always for your tremendous insights and ability to communicate these effectively.
Ola says
I really enjoyed this post. It’s good to do things that scare you a little bit, and conquering that fear of jumping from a high place into water can translate into other areas of your life as well. Great metaphor!
Jean says
A wonderful post Joshua. My lifelong ‘mantra’ has been ‘bloom where you are planted’. I think ‘jump while you can’ is the second part of that thought, and I am so glad that you have articulated that for me.
Sandy says
Thank you Joshua! Your posts so often resonate deeply with me. I will be celebrating my 60th birthday this week and have been pushing the “jump while you can” envelope for years. I love to cliff jump, ride horseback and have recently begun rock scrambling with a goal to begin canyoneering.
I went back to school when my kids reached school age and have been enjoying a wonderful profession as a Physician Assistant ever since. Watching me go through college I believe spurred my kids to succeed in their education, 2 of my 3 sons were valedictorians. The third went on to become a Green Beret.
My biggest leap came at 50 when I decided it was time to give back to my country and joined the National Guard. As a grandmother I deployed to Iraq as the medical provider for over 1000 combat engineers.
My goal as soon as I retire is to bike off-road across the US on the Trans America Trail to fully appreciate this wonderful country of ours and the people in it. We are so blessed in this country! Some of my friends think I’m a little crazy but I want to fully embrace this life that the Lord has granted me! Thanks for the encouragement!
Jess says
This is the best thing I’ve read on the internet in a long time. A true reminder to live in the moment and embrace life. Everyone needs this reminder!!
Evelyn Gonzales says
Hello! I’m a subscriber of Simplify Magazine and I am eager to subscribe to simplify money too…. I’ve learned a lot from you.
Jordan says
Around this time last year I thought I was taking the jump into writing my own blog and becoming a life coach – however, I think I was just dipping my toe in the water. I started to write a few posts, do some research on some life coaching certifications, then I let “life happen” and put both of those dreams on halt. After almost letting an entire year go pass, I am here and I am taking the jump. The jump into the water might not be graceful, my splash might not be that impressive, but what really matters is that get out of the boat and into the water – now the real adventure can begin.
Karen says
Yes! So much this. Jump while you can is so simple and yet it’s really not. Glad you enjoyed Costa Rica. The BF and I are headed there in November.
Robin Bales says
I always love what you have to say Josh! I first heard you speak near Omaha Nebraska and your message has changed my life. I have four boys and I’ve been trying to soak up the moments with them. I look back sometimes and regret that I missed some special times. I’m trying not to let that happen anymore. Thanks for your inspirational messages and the intentionality that you have helped me bring into my life.