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There are so many times when you have to decide whether to “go for it” or stick with what’s safe and known. I made a switch from a nice, successful nursing career to become a full-time writer. Did I know if it would work out when I quit my job? No, but at least I’d sold one book, so there was a pretty good chance I’d sell some more.
How about moving away from our childhood homes? Not the house itself, but the places where we grew up, where our families are? No doubt there are greener pastures out there, but is it worth sacrificing our roots to go after them?
Dating – should we keep on with that person or break it off and try for someone different, more suited to us? Are we being too picky? Or is he the closest we’re going to get to perfection?
Then there’s the question of kids. Should we have some? Yes? Is one enough, or should we go for a few? Or no, none at all . . . because there are some other pretty great things to do with life than raising a family.
Some things just seem to happen in the natural course of life. They seem right at the time, and so we “go for it.” I’d like to know what big risk you’ve taken lately – and how it’s working out for you so far. I’m going to draw one reponder’s name and send her (or him) a copy of my last book, Taken by the Laird and a few goodies from some of my author pals. So come on – inquiring minds want to know!
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Mar 12th
2010
7:28 am
Tonya Kappes Said:
Wow Margot it seems you hit my life on the head! I did move away from my childhood home, where today~my parents, 18 sets of aunts and uncles + 62 cousins live. After 16 years away, some days I’m glad I did and others not so much.
I have established new roots with a DH, pets and four boys.
Looking back, my life is definitely not as I pictured it, BUT I’ve got it pretty darn great!
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Mar 12th
2010
8:18 am
kristan higgins Said:
Writing full time is definitely a plunge…I had no idea how things would turn out. It’s still scary sometimes, thinking, “Okay, I’ll be doing this for at least a good while longer! Wow!” Scary and wonderful. Another plunge that paid off well was saying yes to McIrish 6 weeks after we met. Sometimes those leaps of faith are the only way to go!
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Mar 12th
2010
9:17 am
Kirsten Said:
No BIG life changing decisions for me lately. I have however changed the way I look. I got tired of the long wavy brown hair, camel and black or navy blue (dare I say DULL) outfits. So I spend a small fortune and have now short black hair, pink, bright blue, red and grass green outfits and I’m loving the new me. I also experiment with make up and shoes. I haven’t changed on the inside I just wanted to be a bit more expressive in my dressing and appearance.
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Mar 12th
2010
9:46 am
ruth Said:
I enjoyed your post today since it touches upon so many options that we can explore in our lives. We are given chances and should act upon them. I moved away from home to a completed different locale. I knew no one and have established a new career, life and friends.
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Mar 12th
2010
9:50 am
Shana Said:
Being a full-time mom is a plunge. Wow! The water is cold!
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Mar 12th
2010
10:11 am
eap Said:
I say go for it. You only live once!
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Mar 12th
2010
10:47 am
Paula R. Said:
The blog topic speaks to what I am struggling with right now. There are a couple of things that I took the plunge on and I still go back and forth in my head with them. Actually starting and working on a book (non-poetry), signing up for online dating…thank you very much Kristan (your books played a big role in that), deciding to stay on where I am working now, leaving the military. One question I am struggling with right now is “should I take the plunge and rejoin the military?” That one is going to take some more thinking.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Mar 12th
2010
11:18 am
CrystalGB Said:
The biggest plunge I have taken is getting married after only 4 months of dating my husband. After almost 7 years of marriage, we are still very happy.
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Mar 12th
2010
11:28 am
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
Oooh, Margo. Were you reading my mind when you wrote this? Just yesterday I took a huge leap of faith and made the first steps toward something potentially life-changing.
Recently, I left my agent of nearly eight years. Yesterday I sent out a query to my “dream agent.”
It’s both thrilling and terrifying. But nothing was going to happen until I took the plunge. So, we’ll see…
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Mar 12th
2010
11:59 am
Quilt Lady Said:
A few years back I started loosing jobs. Everywhere I worked they closed down! One of those jobs I had for over twenty years. I went back to school and trained to do office work but it just didn’t pay much! I had a couple of those types of jobs but they didn’t last either! I haven’t work outside the home for two years now, and I have found out we can get by on one income. Since I am not working my husband seems to think I should do all of his duties at home along with my own so i stay pretty busy.
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Mar 12th
2010
12:20 pm
Margo Maguire Said:
Yes – lots of those changes are scary. Sometimes you just do it and hope for the best. I’ve been known to make a few decisions that way…
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Mar 12th
2010
1:57 pm
cheryl c. Said:
I had to make a big decision about when I would retire. I had taught school for 30 years, and if I retired I would only get 60% of my income. In today’s economic difficulties, it was taking a risk to reduce my salary. I did decide to retire, and things have worked out well. We have handled it financially, and I am really enjoying my life.
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Mar 12th
2010
2:11 pm
catslady Said:
I definitely think the older you get the harder it gets. The youth can be young and stupid but there aren’t any excuses for us older folks – we’re suppose to think things through. At least that’s what I’ve been taught lol. I got married at 18 – young and stupid lol. Although we will be married 41 years but basically I hate change lol. The only time I changed jobs was because the company went out of business. In hindsight I should have moved around. We waited 15 years to have kids because my husband couldn’t make up his mind. In hindsight (again) I wish I hadn’t been so careful and had them sooner. I guess the trick is not regretting things you can’t change and accept things as they are.
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Mar 12th
2010
2:45 pm
Lulu Said:
I took the plunge many times and haven’t looked back once. (Well, maybe peeked over my shoulder a bit, but I def. did not look back.)
After many bad dates I announced I was done with dating. Someone recommended a “nice guy” and I went on a “last” blind date. Good thing I did because that blind date is now my husband.
When we decided to have children I quit my comfy corporate job and started my own business to make time to watch our (future) children.
And now I’m getting ready to jump into another career.
Life is about risks – both big and small. Sometimes you just have to do it.
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Mar 12th
2010
2:50 pm
Margo Maguire Said:
Catslady, I think you might be right about change being harder when you’re older. I was really proud of my widowed mom (and sort of amazed!) when she bought a condo and moved out of her high-maintenance house when she was still able to adapt, adjust and enjoy!
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Mar 12th
2010
2:52 pm
Margo Maguire Said:
Good for you, Lulu! I’m glad things have worked out so far. You’re right – life is all about risks.
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Mar 12th
2010
8:47 pm
Catherine Kean Said:
Great post, Margo! I took the plunge and went to England to study for a year when I was in my early twenties. It was a huge change for me, but a fabulous opportunity and one of the most exciting, rewarding years of my life. I met the man who became my husband during this time, and I took another plunge when, after we got married, I moved to Florida. Do I have regrets? Not at all.
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Mar 12th
2010
9:36 pm
Jane Said:
A few years ago I quit my job before I had another lined up. It was the biggest plunge of my life, but I felt it was the right choice for me. I don’t regret quitting that job.
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