I’m a big fan of taking leaps of faith. Give me a ledge and you might have to tackle me to keep me from swan diving off the side. (Okay, I’m really holding my nose with a huge inner tube around my waist… but I’m still gonna jump.)
I give talks designed to inspire women to live authentically, to embrace their passions and make personal and professional decisions that reflect those passions. Even still, I don’t necessarily advocate they all quit their jobs, move across the country or make any other major life change without having that gut feeling, that inner knowing that whispers… It’s time.
Even when the soft echoes of fate are rooting for us to follow our hearts, it’s still not easy. We ask ourselves, “How can I really know I’m doing the right thing?” We don’t get a crystal ball or a road map detailing the new uncharted path we are about to take. When we step out on faith, we aren’t promised a path free from challenges and growing pains, but we do discover gifts and opportunities we never imagined.
If you’ve read my last blog post, you know I was feeling especially liberated after adding more memory to my aging computer. Creating more space on the hard drive inspired an all-out cleaning spree, and I marveled over the positive effects of clearing the clutter in my life.
So in the spirit of full disclosure, I think it’s important to let you know that over the holidays, my computer crashed. Again. For months I had been dealing with this technical difficulty. The computer would crash, and I would reinstall Windows, causing me to lose emails and anything else I had not backed up. The process would restore the computer to its original state– the way it was when I bought it in 2004. So I had to to upgrade Internet Explorer, Adobe, and reinstall all the video players. Each time I clicked the mouse, I’d have to download another something or other. I can’t believe I went through that process more than once. Try three times. Finally, when it crashed again, after I had plunked down a hundred bucks for more memory, I could have sworn the message on the computer screen said something like “Hey, lady, give it up. Buy a new computer.”
I think it’s a common trap we all fall into from time to time. We refuse to fail. So we do everything in our power to make our situation work. But I think there’s real courage in admitting, “I’ve tried. And tried. And tried. This just ain’t working.”
Letting go is not giving up. It’s not failing. It’s smart. If something is causing you ongoing stress, are you ready to loosen your grip? Do you have courage to listen to the voice within, when it whispers, It’s time?
If so, share your story and inspire others by commenting on this post.
angiemizzell 
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Angie, Your words are inspirational and cannot come at a better time for me. I ditto so many of your thoughts. I am always pushing myself to better Good Eye Photography LLC, make more appointments, spend more time post processing, and better my marketing materials. When January rolls around, I am tired and don’t seem to have much pep in my step. I yearn to spend time with my family and give my boys my undivided attention.
So, I don’t think too much about the future and take the month “off.” I enroll in a photography class only to have it canceled. I am feeling sorry for myself. I call the Center For Photography back and ask how I can help make the class work. Jack Alterman takes my call and offers to mentor me for the month of January. I pay for his one on one time instead of taking the class. We talk about the future of my business and where I want to grow. He reassures me it’s okay not to have everything planned out. (I am a planner.) He tells me my work and passion will determine my path.
I decide that I will take this month to dream again about my business plans. I start to feel really inspired. I have plans to revamp, reinvent, and redo a lot of things with Good Eye Photography. I am going to start by redoing my website and blog. It’s just a start.
I wish I knew where this adventure is going to take me. I love taking pictures, working with my little subjects, catching that one second expression that is so priceless.
So next week (Feb.) I will begin by making some to-do lists and taking some small steps to reach my goals. I am going to try and live more in the moment and be okay with what tomorrow brings.
Someone once said that if you continue to do the same things; you will continue to get the same results. Change is good; it’s just hard for us “planners.”
Remember you ARE a success and which ever path you choose will only bring you more triumphs. My heart is with you.
Hey Heather,
So many words of wisdom here. I think Jack Alterman’s advice is right on the money, too. Thanks for your continued support. You inspire me!