Whimsy and Dreams

"[We shouldn't] be afraid to embrace whimsy.  I asked him what he meant by whimsy, and he struggled to define it.  He said it's that nagging idea that life could be magical; it could be special if we were only willing to take a few risk." -Donald Miller, A Million Miles In A Thousand Years

I have been thinking a lot about dreams and risk lately.  Maybe you have noticed from my last couple posts.  I mean its been subtlety woven into my writing, but I think each day that subtle message is getting louder and louder.  It feels like life is screaming at me every time I go to a yoga class anymore.  So, I am doing it.  I am pulling the trigger.  I have signed up for yoga teacher training class in the fall.  It starts in September and goes through November.  I am super excited and it feels so right.  In the midst of that I will continue to teach for Fit4Mom and FINALLY get my Crossfit level 1 certification.  This certainly isn't a blog of statement to the world that I am done with the military.  But it certainly is a step toward my dream to take fitness on as a more full time role.

I would say up to this point I have taken the safe road in my career.  Safe in regards to getting an education, then entering the work force with a guaranteed paycheck.  And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  It has provided such amazing stability and foundation to jump off from.  And it certainly has not come without some super hard work, but I think its time to take a cue from my siblings.  I have been watching them take some unconventional paths as they enter the work force at large.  It has scared me a little for them, but more than that it has gotten me excited.  How scary to really pursue what you love, but how immensely rewarding.  I am grateful to be able to watch their journeys and glean such strength in their ambitious reach for finding passion for what you do in life.

I have had many conversations, as of late, with friends that are in their jobs and doing well.  But the question we all keep coming to and talking through is what is well?  Inevitably the well question always equates to money.  Money is great, but it's not happiness.  This is where I think the fork in the road of career really is for most of us.  Do I go down the path of monetary stability or do I venture down a path of monetary uncertainty???  
Ugh...this one always gets me.  I mean we need money to live and sustain life.  We need money to do things we want to do.  But when is it that we allow money to start taking over?  I can think of a couple rationalizations in my career that might have been the decision point of monetary stability being my reason for the path I am currently traveling.  But the real reason I think we pick our paths comes down to fear.  Fear of the unknown is paralyzing sometimes.  Heck it is paralyzing most times.

So here I go.  I am taking strides to make a meaningful transition and giving the rest up to God.  Because in these moments of excitement I feel the fear of the unknown creeping in,  But I know that I cannot embrace the magical, whimsy of life that God intended for me if I don't allow him to provide for what I can't see.   He has given us each very special and unique gifts.  It's time I started using mine.  Have you started using yours?