If I Leap, Will That Net Really Appear?
By Missy Park • Sep 18th, 2009 • Category: Missy's Musings
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
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I am about to make that leap …
I am a single Mom of 3 beautiful, smart, loving children – ages 10, 9, & 7. I found out a week ago I my job of 4 years is being eliminated beginning 10/1/09. I am terrified, and excited at the same time. I don’t have any idea how I will make the monthly payments, but I believe strongly that I will end up better off financialy and more fulfilled than I have been. I will make this leap, for myself and my children.
I’ll keep you posted! Something wonderful is going to happen ….
My big leap is in motion. I feel for us leapers…there is always something in motion. That’s what fuels us to keep leaping.
I am in the process of trademarking an idea. I have the logo and challenge statements. The next leap will be designing the clothing for what I call “life’s everyday adventures”.
This leap is totally out of my comfort zone. I am a veterinary technician for the past 20 years, but I could not resist taking this leap. I know I have an idea that will motivate people and/or feed the inspiration of the already motivated. I believe what I envision is something that you would appreciate.
Hoping the net will appear!!!
Won’t know unless I leap!!!
Thank you, Wendy Jochems
It’s not a sports-related tale, but I left home for grad school with no idea where my education would take me, how I’d pay for it, or if I’d ever get a real job (viva liberal arts). Two days after arriving in a strange new city I was hired for a job that paid my tuition – I had never dreamed of such good fortune. I learned that’s the definition of fortune – you have to take a risk in order for it to have a chance to show up.
Dear Missy,
Your writing in the most recent Title Nine catalog definitely had a special meaning to me. I am a 41 year old family nurse practitioner who practiced for 10 years and decided to return to school for a PhD in 2004. I resigned from my job, rented my condo, left my “then” boyfriend and friends and moved from Viriginia Beach to Waco, Texas to start my program. At the end of a painful four year “growth” phase, I graduated with a PhD in Exercise, Nutrition and Preventive Health in the fall of 2008. I am now in my final year as post doctoral fellow. I am working at an Institute in Dallas, Texas that specializes in clinical exercise research (my dream!). It has been a difficult yet incredible journey. I leveraged myself financially and emotionally to achieve a lifelong dream of obtaining a PhD. I sacrificed my romantic life and perhaps my chance at a family. My age and the timing of my return to school may prove to have come at a pretty high price, only time will tell on that. I do not regret my decision but it was by far the biggest leap I have taken in my life journey. Thank you for writing about taking risk. I am particularly fond of your word choice substituting “good practice falling” versus failure. Thanks again for your inspirational comments!!
Yours in fitness,
Melyn
I’ve been a homeschool Mom for 10 years, my son graduated and I found myself at the age of 47 wondering: “What now?” I always worked out at the gym to stay in shape and while watching all the Personal Trainers walk by me every day, it hit me that I should be a Trainer. I took the Personal Trainer class at Indiana Univ. and with the encouragement of my professor, took the certifying exam and passed. I then decided to start my own business as a Trainer who worked with “older” clients, something that most Trainers don’t do. I wondered: “Could I be successful as a Trainer working with Seniors?” “Is there really a market for this?” “Can my business be in the black during a recession?” The net was cast, I found support from family and friends and yes, I can say, even during a recession, my company, Starr Fitness, LLC is in the black and doing well. A sidebar from my story is that I didn’t realize it, but many of my friends were quietly watching from the sidelines observing how I changed my life in one year. They told me, that they too want to do something after their kids left the nest and they were happy to see that it can be done. Ironically, my Dad made safety and industrial nets for a living. These nets were strung around buildings and bridges being built to catch people and debris. I try to help my clients, like my Dad helped construction workers, one day at a time!