Sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone to forge new paths. And what a rush it can be.We want to share with you a new Successful Aging profile from someone who knows about trying something new – Jean Marino, an Ecumen customer in Duluth, Minn. Discover through Jean’s own words below how she forged a new path in soaring (literally) towards her dreams:

Since I was a child in Esko, Minnesota, and watched airplanes fly over our farm, I’ve wanted to play in the clouds. And that’s exactly what I did this summer when, on my 80^th birthday, I skydived for the very first time. (I’m even scared of heights.)The airplane took me up 11,000 feet on a gorgeous day over Duluth. The first 5,000 feet of my jump were especially a rush, because I was in a total free-fall. My jump partner and I fell through the sky at 120 miles per hour or about 180 feet per second.We pulled the cords on our parachutes at 5,000 feet and then made a smooth descent to the ground.From the time I jumped out of the plane to the time my feet touched the ground was about a total of 4.5 minutes. My son and daughter met me on the ground. In fact, my son plans to do it with me next year. People ask me €˜why the heck I jumped out of a plane?’The answer is simple. It was something I’ve always wanted to do, and I just said I’m going to finally do it.And it was wonderful!

Thank you, Jean!This month’s Successful Aging profile is sponsored by Ecumen’s whitepaper:‘Long Term Care Financing Reform: An Incredible Opportunity for Candidates Who Desire Positive Change in America’. As you read this paper, we also remind you to vote on November 4^th. Onward and upward!