risky business.

It's no big secret that this small town Vermont girl doesn't have much of a "live on the edge" personality. I've never been skydiving, ridden a mechanical bull, gone para-sailing, done donuts in my car, smoked a cigarette, had a one-night stand, or experimented with drugs. I've never been on a blind date, shoplifted, not studied for an exam, dropped out of school, traveled a long distance alone, or gambled. These are the types of items that you will find on any standard bucket list of risky activities.

The real risk takers in life tend to live by mantras like, "I can sleep when I'm dead," or "Life's too short not to try everything once." At the other end of the spectrum, you'll find the people who may live by the words, "Life is precious and fragile," or "I have too much to lose." Fear not though, because somewhere in the middle, there is a perfect balance.
 
My mother recently picked up some handcrafted coffee mugs that were engraved with the following quote: "Continue your journey beyond the things you already know, as new opportunities are just around the bend." And how true it is- Sometimes the only way to discover your true capability is to step out of your comfort zone. New opportunities are not often handed to us, we have to work to reach them. We have to step outside of the familiar and take a leap of faith that things will work out. I am a firm believer that all things in life work out just as they are supposed to, when they are supposed to. If you live by this too, then you know that as scary as taking a new risk may be, in the end it will be worth it. You'll either absolutely excel, or it will teach you a valuable lesson about life and who you are. This may mean leaving a job you don't enjoy, leaving a relationship that you have doubts about, moving somewhere new, pursuing a new hobby, pushing yourself physically, exposing your vulnerabilities, putting yourself out there, standing up for something you believe in, or trying something you have never tried before. Follow your heart, listen to your gut, and chase your dreams. Always remember that you are capable of anything.