By Samantha McKenzie

“Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is.” Mark Twain

Pushing the envelope. Crossing the lines. Walking on the edge. Free falling through your life.

Inspiring women to chase after their dreams and follow their passions comes at a high price. The stakes are steep and the sacrifices are almost insurmountable. The acceptance rate is low and the negative comments usually come from the people we care about the most.

But we do it anyway. We jump. We discourage settling and invite others to supplement their safe, cushy, comfortable lives, with the slim odds of gambling on their abilities. We break traditions that no longer serve us. We relinquish roles that make us unhappy. We abandon our fears for the sake of our future.

Why? Because the heart was meant to take risks and a real life is made up of all types of “can you believe it” experiences. The streets of our existence are graciously paved with both successes and failures, joys and sadness, and all sorts of juxtapositions.

Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who’s done it.

They went against the grain, tolerated the “you’re crazy” comments and plowed away at what they believed in, regardless. They didn’t expect things to be easy. That would be the expectations of the ordinary. They knew from the moment they stuck their neck out there, that they were rolling the dice on uncertainty.

They overcame their inhibitions and they toiled away.

So here’s to all my full steam ahead, nose-diving, slaying ’em sisters who dare to dream and travel on with their big ole risky hearts.