TAKE A PLUNGE

As we travel life’s road we come to an intersection where we can’t figure out what or where our next turn would be. It may be confusing sometimes to the point that we don’t want to make a turn at all and instead, go back to where we started.

A lot of us encounter a dilemma at one point in our life. Especially when it is life changing decision that involves our families and kids. Even after all things considered, there is still that small voice going over and over in our head with a list of what ifs which somehow prevents us from plunging into the unknown.

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The truth is, every decision we make leads to an unknown. We never know what will happen until we leave the comfort of our home. We will never know if we can do it, unless we take on the challenging job. Or, we will never know if our plan will succeed, unless we submit our proposal.  All of us are capable. Each person may be unique but all of us are the same. All of us have talents and abilities to be whoever and whatever we decide to be. We can only succeed if we decide to believe that we do.  
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In a small town,an employee of a retail store knows that she has the ability to do more than the task given to her. Her job is to check the incoming and outgoing of supplies. That has been her job for the past 2 years. She dreams of becoming a fashion stylist and open her very own shop in the future. She has a college degree, an eye for details and a good personality.However, jobs in that small town are scarce. So, she accepted the only job available in town. Her only option to follow her dreams is to leave town and work in a fashion industry where her creative talents will be appreciated more. Without any savings, she fears that she might not be able to make it in a big city, and worst she will end up with regret if she will leave the retail store which has been feeding their family for generations.

For several years, she continued working at the store – dragging herself every morning, doing the same job year after year. Her dream to be a fashion stylist has been temporarily kept behind the corners of her mind. Until one day, the store decided to close shop, and open a bigger store elsewhere – outside their small town. Management decided to terminate all employees from the previous retail store but rehired all young ones with great talents to occupy important positions at the store. Diane was one of the employees terminated. She was not rehired, either. 

If Diane faced her fears and pursued her dreams years ago, she could have been one of those successful stylist in the fashion industry now. She could have spent her life looking back without any regrets. She will be happier and contented knowing she followed her heart and pursued her dreams. There are more people like Diane. People who let fear control their lives - who believe that they cannot do more than what they are doing, at present.
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To those who are at the cross roads don’t be afraid to take a plunge. There may be a hard fall sometimes but the satisfaction of knowing that you tried will all be worth it.

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Zoey FS is in the foreign service and a seasonal blogger of PERA Inc.  who loves to travel and discover new places with her husband and 12 year old son. A true believer that life must be celebrated every single day!