walk the tightrope
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 9:42AM 
I think there's a lot to be said for having faith and taking risks. I think they go hand in hand, really. Risk-taking isn't supposed to feel comfortable. For some people, taking risks is exhilarating. The element of the unknown is a thrill. For others, it's terrifying. Paralyzing. A way to make excuses to never move forward in life, to "play it safe."
I think I fall somewhere in the middle. I know that taking risks will make my life richer and move in directions I can't even imagine from where I am now. I've also been a life-long worrier, so the ultra-practical worrying side of me wants to play it safe.
I'm discovering that taking risks, for me, takes a lot of faith. I have to trust that I'll be taken care of, that I'll receive whatever I'm supposed to receive, and that I'll learn something in the process. It's sort-of like deciding to face my fear and walk on a tightrope, but all the while I'm holding onto some balloons that I trust will get me safely across to the other side. (See the illustration? Tightrope and balloons. I just made that analogy. I didn't really know what the illustration was for until this moment!)
Faith = balloons. Hold onto them and they'll keep me moving safely along the journey of my life. Let go and it's just plain scary. Agree?
So, in the spirit of having faith and holding onto balloons, yesterday my gut (my intuition, if you will) told me that this upcoming Gold-digging Excursion, led by the fabulous Sarah Bray, is definitely on my path and my tightrope. I promptly signed myself up yesterday, and I'm going to be waiting on the edge of my seat until April 1st for the excursion to begin!
I *highly* recommend Sarah-- she is brilliant, hilarious, and an enviable designer. Goodness, I'm going to learn so much from her in April! I can't wait. If this sounds like your kind of thing, you can sign up, too, and then we can all hang out in the cave dwelling together! (Want to read about what the cave dwelling is? Do it. It's awesome.) This adventure is going to fill up fast, so I'd sign up as soon as possible if I were you. And you can trust me, because I'm already signed up. Yay!
Reader Comments (7)
GORGEOUS work, Jess. I think my daughter has that outfit (lol!). And I'm so excited that you're coming along...I have it on good recommendation that there are quite a few surprises in store. :)
i want to be you when i grow up. that course looks very cool! *thinking thinking*
:)
oh isn't this the truth, and just the right illustration to show it! now if there were only an easier way to decide how to tell the difference between a smart move and bold recklessness. and as usual, i'd like to buy the outfit from your model here!
It's so hard to take that first step - congratulations on signing up!
i am wild about her! love her skirt & shirt combo! (she chose a brave outfit for this day!) & that sun is adorable & love her wings & the colors of the water &&&&& !!! xoxox
Oh, I love her so much. Great post Jessica.
OK, first of all - this print needs to be listed in your shop. Now. Like, right this second. I need it in my office. I need to look at it every day. I need that reminder of all the words that aren't said but are here in this painting. This is totally an order.
Second of all, "risk" & "safety" & "trust" is all I've been thinking about since I gave my notice two weeks ago. I am a super risk-averse person & sometimes I feel like I've just gone crazy making the leap in working for myself. When Luke & I went for dinner to celebrate my last day on Fri, I asked him, "Aren't you freaked out? This is such a big risk & we're so not risk takers! Am I crazy? I don't even ride roller coasters!" He was so sweet & calm & said, "I'm not freaked out because I don't see this as a risk at all. We've been planning this for almost three years, we've prepared ourselves for it financially, you've been building this business so completely I absolutely trust that it'll work out, but if it doesn't, there's a million things you can do for Plan B. There's no real risk here at all - we're ready for it." It made me think that the secret is all in the planning, & we planned on taking this risk for so long that it's no longer a risk. Isn't that an amazing perspective? So grounding & so truthful.