Sometimes you have to just take the leap and build your wings on the way down.

-Kobi Yamada

I went to the bank with my boss the other day and this quote was engraved on a stone that was sitting on the banker’s desk. It reminded me of something my best friend said to me long ago. I think we were talking about my decision to do hair after already obtaining a bachelor’s degree and working in the medical field. Of course I earned better money in Nuclear Medicine, but I’d be happy doing hair. To me happiness is the mark of true success.

So we were talking about how I just didn’t think twice and signed up for school when I had the opportunity. A complete change in career. I have made these leaps of faith before. One year I decided to just move to New York to experience life from a new perspective. Another time I met a mysterious man with hazel eyes at the Minneapolis Airport, and quit my Masters program to marry him 6 months later. Yet another time, I decided, after hearing that the nursing programs were full with a 3 year wait list that perhaps we should just have a baby since there seemed to be a lull in my usually busy schedule. These leaps of faith have created what I like to call my very fortunate life. Each day I am so grateful for the amazing friends and family in my life. I am so lucky to be doing what I love at such a young age. The list goes on…

What hit me that day at the banker’s office was something I’d never quite appreciated before.

The willingness to take a leap of faith.

How many leaps have you taken? Do you have faith that things will always turn out in your favor? Do you believe the ever popular “Everything happens for a reason.”?

You see ever since I was a little girl I’ve heard that everything happens for a reason. And this “fact” created an acceptance in me. I accept everything that happens to me because I really believe that there is a reason for it.

My husband was laid off the day after we got back from our honeymoon and for newly weds this is hard! You’re trying to adjust to living together and on top of that your main source of income is no longer. I knew in my gut that there were bigger opportunities ahead of us and there was a reason for this. Sure enough, my husband landed a great job at a big company and not only that, we had so much time together and it strengthened our bond. He also ended up in a permanent position that got us insurance which allowed me to have a baby, quit a job I hated, and get into the career I love. Looking back it was one of the best things to happen for us. Not getting into a nursing program gave me the time to have a child, and getting pregnant right away proved to me that it was the right time for this miracle. And sure enough, it was the perfect time, and having my son was such a life changer. Jayesh and I had renewed focus on our goals and the bond that I thought was already so strong, became stronger.

Things aren’t always peachy, negative things happen, negative people happen, but if you believe in YOU, that’s all that matters. When you’re going through a negative phase in your life, turn your sadness into excitement. Something good is about to happen to you! There is a reason your relationship ended, you lost your job, your pet died, etc. There is good yet to come, just be patient, and search for the reason.

Be honest with yourself. This is so important. If you aren’t honest with yourself, it’s all for nothing. Being honest means coming to terms with a truth that might be unpleasant but necessary. Like stop talking to that jerk of a person in your life. What you tell yourself: They’re going to change and realize they truly love me. The truth of it: you’re lonely and you’re filling up the void by keeping this loser around. If you can just decipher your feelings and realize what’s really going on and what you need to do, you will lead a happier life.

Negative emotions and lying to yourself only hurt one person. YOU. So why do that to yourself? Be your own best friend and get yourself in gear!

So take a leap of faith. Just believe in your self and trust that no matter the outcome, the bigger plan is a good one. Build your wings on the way down and you’ll find that you’ll be soaring before you hit the bottom.