Take a Leap

“Imagine the choices you’d make if you had no fear—of falling, of losing, of being alone, of disapproval.”
— Martha Beck

I was 21 when I agreed to marry Matt. I didn’t know a thing about being married but I knew in my bones that he was right for me. I took a leap and said yes and it was the best decision I ever made.

I was 25 with a newborn with special needs when I learned I was pregnant with Gabe. I’m always thankful for Gabe, of course, but also for the fact that he was a surprise. It forced me to take that leap into a second child after losing my first and having Olivia. I’m thankful for that shove.

Quitting my wonderful first teaching job was very difficult. We, as a family, took a leap when we decided that it was more important for me to be at home. We gave up money, security and I gave up a job I loved. It was the right decision through and through.

There have been countless times where I’ve forced myself to take the leap of asking for more for Olivia, of inviting friends over to play with her, of meeting new people who might not accept us as we are, of putting our whole selves out here. I’ve found most of my dearest friends that way.

“What I heard was my whole self saying and singing what it knew: I can.”
— Denise Leverto

I hemmed and hawed and had many hours of internal struggle over going back to a “regular” job. How would Olivia handle me not being here in the morning and after school? What if she needed me during the day? How would Matthew handle it? Could I do it all? But I took a leap, I jumped right in and I’ve never been happier. I am so thankful that I decided to put myself and what I really wanted in my heart first.

When we sent Olivia to pre-school, to Kindergarten, to junior high, we took a leap. We trusted that there were caring people who would do what is best for her and, if not, we trusted ourselves to make it right.

We take leaps all the time, don’t we? I’m definitely guilty of always thinking of the worst case scenarios. And, trust me, I know they’re out there. But what would life be like without those tremendous leaps? Sometimes you just have to let go and hope for the best.

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh