What if….
What if…I wish we…Wouldn’t it be nice if….
You know the conversation. it usually starts when you’re on vacation, away from the routine of your every day life. Topics can include job options, parenting choices, household dreams, relationship shifts, moves to the country, and more. Shhhh…. listen closely and you’ll notice your pattern of response to such wandering, wondering thoughts.
It wouldn’t work…We can’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t…I need to be realistic, responsible…
Maybe it wouldn’t be as nice as I imagine…
Each of the above negations is likely firmly rooted in some aspect of reality. The sensible, rational mind takes one look at our dreams of “what if…” and concocts a long list of “why nots.”
And yet every once in a while, we ourselves, or someone we love, takes the leap and says Yes, somehow moving beyond the world of being sensible. What is it that allows us to move from “what if…” to “I can”?
We don’t actually know the answer to this question. But we do know that there seems to be a tipping point, a moment when the desire to move forward is greater than the fears and concerns that hold us back. Such difficult choices and leaps of faith always seem to make more sense once we’re on the other side – and we find ourselves thinking,
“Why didn’t I do that ages ago?!”
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What wonderings are in your heart & mind?
What does your rational, sensible mind say?
How might you move forward, if only in a small way, today?
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Many thanks to Martha of Laughing Volcano Art for the use of her beautiful Blue Girl Leap of Faith image.
[...] our lifetimes we are, every once in a while, presented with the opportunity to take a great leap. Whether the leap should be a source of great excitement, or fear, it is sure to open the way for [...]
In my past it was “let’s get married, buy a 40′ bus, find somewhere in Vancouver to park it, and convert it WHILE we live in it…and add a baby to the mix too”…more recently it was “let’s move to the Island and go on parental leave and neither of us will work; we’ll just BE with our kids.”
I don’t know what comes next, but I certainly learned that there are worse things than taking risks. And after all this, can you believe my heart still finds those frightened why not answers to my dreams??
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Thank you. Our family of 5 is considering a move from the city (vancouver) to the island. The idea of doing this is thrilling and scary all at once. My oldest daughter is 8 and my sons are 4 and 2. The idea of space and calmness is our true motivation. My biggest fear is uprooting my daughter. I have to know in my heart that it is the right move for her as well. But how can you ever really know?
“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.”
I am hoping that if and when we do make the move we say wow, we should have done this a long time ago!
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I had a major “what if” tipping point when I gave up my old, very lucrative career to pursue something that I believed in. It was the best choice I ever made for me, my family and every aspect of my life.
Now, I just think…why not? That’s my answer to my or anyone’s “what if.” You only live once…take life by the horns!
BTW, Saw your tweet on this, which led me to your blog. Will RT for you (EcolabelFund). Great post!
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admin Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Absolutely, why not? what is it truly that is holding us back? I find there comes a time when i realize i could spend my life wondering what if…or simply find out!
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This post helped me find the way through my own fears about my family’s upcoming leap, and the happy ending to my own blog post at A Mama Being. “I realized that I am there, at that tipping point, so I have to stay outside the fear, or I will close myself off to the beautiful possibilities. So let the winds of change blow, and may they gently but firmly land us in a better place.” Check out the whole post here: At the Tipping Point
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[...] of caring for them settles in, I am feeling pure gratitude for the way in which his willingness to take a risk is opening each of us up to new experiences. And yes, more than a bit overwhelmed by the learning [...]
For me, it is important to listen closely to the What If? before you take the leap. Then having faith in yourself and your choice becomes accepting that you will trip at some point as you step forward, but that is ok because you will learn as equally from what first appear to be mistakes as you do from the joy of change. In embracing this philosophy, I find myself looking back at choices with no regrets.
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Thank you!
It is so true. At this point I’m not sure what else to say – you said it so well
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Thanks – I was just on vacation and my partner and I were dreaming of our upcoming move/leap into country living and I kept having those negative thoughts–what if it’s a disaster, not as good as we think, etc etc….
“leap, and the net will appear”….that’s what you have reminded me of.
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admin Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 11:45 AM
What if it is really truly amazing? Interesting how being on vacation allows us to dream big…
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Thank you so much for pointing me to this today. I needed it in a profound and deep way. I am currently trying to decide what to do with my career, as I will not have a job to return to following my maternity leave. A big part of me wants to find a new path, to employ myself. But another part thinks it’s impractical.
I appreciate the inspiration.
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admin Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Thank you, Amber. It has been a profound theme in my own life this year. Sometimes, when we are given an opening such as this it is a real gift. Without the security of a job to return to, perhaps there is a greater sense of freedom to take a leap?
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