By Samantha McKenzie

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

Why not push the envelope? How about you cross that line again. Try walking along the edge or free falling through life. If it gets you closer to your dreams, why not?

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 do it anyway. When we’re full of passion and focused on our goals, we need to be reminded to take a risk…on ourselves. Stop talking yourself out of your dreams and settling, instead invite others to supplement their safe, cushy, comfortable lives, for the slim odds of gambling on their abilities.

We have every right to break traditions that no longer serve us. This is how evolution takes place. It starts with relinquishing roles that make us unhappy and abandoning our fears for the sake of a powerful future.

The heart is tough. It was meant to take risks. 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. You are extraordinary.