Taking Action

“Take that leap! Make that first step! Don’t sit at home, don’t wait, don’t hesitate!

Oh, how many times have you heard that advise, and how many times have you hesitated nonetheless? Most of us, we’re told, live lives of quiet desperation. Does that sound like you? It doesn’t have to!

How many inspirational stories do you have to read to finally realize it can happen to you? Is it success you’re waiting for? Adventure? Love? Most of us have a dream, or many dreams, dreams tumbling over each other, clamoring for our attention, crying out to be heard. But most of us set them aside for a better, safer, more reasonable time.

Wake up! There is no safe or reasonable time!

photo credit: DieselDemon

Here’s the thing: Failure is a terrible feeling, it hurts, and it has consequences. You could feel ashamed, or lose money, or have to find a new job, or alienate beloved friends. These are real consequences, not paranoid fantasies. And yet, so what? Is the purpose of life really to sit back and preserve the status quo, carefully, safety, and without undue risk? On your deathbed, will you truly sigh in relief that you never pissed off the powers that be? I don’t think so!

Let’s talk about love. Love is an area where we often fail to take risks. Don’t ask that gorgeous person with the dazzling smile and the warm personality out on a date! Don’t! You might get rejected. You’re not in their league, you say to yourself, or not that forward. I have to tell you, some of the best emotional memories I have are of asking and being rejected. Why? Because the risk of asking, of finding that courage, is a rush and I love it! I treasure the knowledge that I took the risk, and even though it didn’t work out, I have no regrets, looking back, and I don’t wonder. I don’t ever have to say “”If only I’d just asked…”" and that feels fantastic!