Easy to say when I’m standing firmly on the ground. More difficult when I am on the edge, facing an abyss. But what I’ve found over the years, is that if I keep making those leaps, I’ll either reach my goal, the net will appear or I’ll get in some good practice falling. All are good outcomes. Each makes it easier for me to take the next leap, though I must admit that making my goals is way more fun than nursing my bruises.
So tell us about the last time you took a big leap? Did that net appear? Write about it in the comments section. Can’t wait to hear your stories!
Missy Park, Founder
Taking leaps…and inspiring girls to do the same. A year ago I returned to my home state of Vermont to launch an organization called Girls Move Mountains. Our mission is to nurture girls’ innate capacity for confidence, courage, and leadership through adventure-based experiential education. The organization builds on a girls’ mountain bike program I’d been running for 8 years called Dirt Divas. We are now also developing climbing and skiing programs and will eventually add some wilderness/backpacking programs. Ultimately this work is about supporting girls’ (and women’s) ability to be strong, courageous, to be themselves, to live a life of positive leap-taking. I have to model this by digging deep for the courage to create this organization, chart my own course, and take the risk required to fully commit myself to this work. It certainly takes courage, perseverance, and determination but there is nothing I would rather be doing. So I leap, and trust that the net will be there…and so far it has…because this work with girls is powerful and necessary.
Turning 50 this year, it has been a year of firsts. I took a class in rock climbing, I started taking Taekwondo with my 7 yr old son (I’m a dark green belt now!) and I started my own greeting card business, P B Swammich Designs. After following my husband and his career across the U.S. and around the world for 30 years, I decided that it was time to try something for me. I’m just getting started, learning something new every day and it’s terrifying! Learning about printing and paper, setting up a website, struggling with marketing (any ideas?), there is some kind of road block every day. I like what Laurie Hood said in comment #7. If you’re doing something to better the world, there is a higher power involved. Something keeps you driving forward, facing those new and difficult challenges, and finding ways that whatever you’re doing can be beneficial for those around you. I’m currently trying to raise money for a local Houston charity with a portion of my sales. I’m hoping I can do them proud!
My leap was a decision to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. All participants have to raise at least $2,300 in order to participate in the 3 day / 60 mile walk. Although I lack fundraising skills and I would have to begin my training walks while there was still snow on the ground, I registered as a 3-Day walker. Over the course of several months, I found out that my fears were for not. My family, friends, and friends of friends helped me realize that I do have some skill when it comes to fundraising. Six months later, with their help, I raised $3,900 and walked all 60 miles in the Chicago Breast Cancer 3-Day.
Single for the past four years, I’ve been struggling recently with my upcoming decision regarding when to retire – where to live, how to earn a little extra $ after I retire from teaching in NC’s public schools for 29 years. For months, I’ve been circling the wagons, waiting for a “prudent” decision to feel right. I own 7 acres in Virginia, have two modest buildings on the property that can serve as housing for me, and still have to get water and septic to one so that I am comfortable… I’ve been struggling with what to do…
This morning, I stumbled upon Missy’s Musings and enjoyed the follow-up comments. I’ve been purchasing Title 9 stuff for at least fours years, but I’ve never noticed this part of the Title 9 website until today. Something happened – the synergy of the moment – and I knew in my gut that what is best for me is to leap forward in mid-June after I retire, to spend time with my parents who are still alive (though in their eighties) and to embrace life and whatever challenges, falls, and journeys present themselves. These words don’t do justice to the fact that what I needed from the universe to make a decision was in the print and in between the print on the Title 9 webpage. Thank you, fellow T9ers for buoying my courage and for being a part of my decision to step forward eagerly into the next phase of my life.