Leaping Into the Unknown
Tomorrow, Chad and I will be married three years. This is significant to me. I am proud of us for navigating a lot of pathways these first years of married life. We married during the pandemic, we moved, both started new jobs, had some major discussions, finished a building project and connected with family and friends. We also found a new church that we love. It hasn’t been easy but it has been wonderful in so many ways. I can’t imagine my life without us together now.
When you marry in your 40s, you hit the ground running with decision making and life planning. We’ve done that and we have grown through the process. Mind you, we’ve had our share of conflicts and differences to navigate for sure but we are still committed to each other and taking on new challenges even as I type this.
When I was younger, I wanted life to be easy and I thought it could be. Now, that I am in this phase of my life, I realize life is not easy at all. Yet, we can grow in resiliency to face situations that arise. Just like we wouldn’t ask a toddler to carry a huge suitcase; we have to grow in our strength and wisdom over time, bit by bit.
Recently, a client of mine was asking about what the easy path might be in a decision they were making. I thought about it and I said, “there is no easy path - both may cause pain.” I find it to be true that if we never risk, we may have less complications but we also have less opportunity for joy. Sometimes, you have to jump and trust that the ladder will appear or lean on your faith that God is our Protector and will lead us when we trust in Him.
There is wisdom needed when taking risks. The costs may need to be counted -whether emotional, physical or financial,l for example. Once you have done that, and you still feel a nudge to move forward, you may be scared but I believe that feeling scared is more manageable than later regret.
I would say that I’m a leaper - if that is even a word. Ha! I am not risk adverse. Yet, I still consider carefully my options and the costs. Maybe more so than when I was younger and more naive. For example, in my 20s, I more readily would have the sense, “it will all work out.” Now, I am a bit more cautious. Yet, I am still one who leaps. I have found, personally, that even if I fail - it is the not trying that really bothers me.
What about you? Are you making a decision? If there were no “easy button” and you have to face the associated risks - would you?
Maybe you need to talk through a decision with a friend, family member or a counselor or coach. I’m happy to talk with you about the costs and benefits of decisions in your own life. Feel free to reach out for a free initial consult via my website: www.soulpurposetime.com