I think we can all agree that taking risks is not any easy thing to do. #amirightoramiright There are mixed emotions, fears, thoughts on factoring other people's opinions in, and the list goes on. I've been known to take risks and to put myself out there in so many different ways. I've had people comment on how I can do such things.  For me, the thought is, why wouldn't I?  I decided to move to a new city, by myself, over a year ago. Turns out it was one of the best decisions I could've made. I have learned so much about myself, about life, about what matters most to me, I've started a business, met new people, took more risks, and for once in my life - felt free. I always lived my life for others. Actually, I should rephrase, I always wanted to live my life for others. I wanted to do want made other people happy, always sacrificing my wants and needs. It wasn't until I was in a place where moving was the only option to get away from what was holding me down that I started living for, and putting myself first. I don't say that to be selfish. I very, very much put others before me but if I am not well, if I am not in the right mindset, if I don't make the decision for my life - than I'm not doing it. Whatever "it" is.  For years, I lived for what other people thought, what others wanted me to be and I realized when I moved that I had been living life all wrong. Myself, my health, my happiness, my success - those things have to come first for me to be able to give and love like I want to. When you don't have happiness or love for you, you become a slave to someone else...at no fault to them...that my friend, is on you.  If you ever ask me why I did something, I'm going to reply with, "Well why shouldn't I?" Why shouldn't we live without armor and receive all that the world has to offer? Why shouldn't we put ourselves out there? Fear of rejection? Fear of failure?  If we don't take risks, if we don't take a leap of faith, if we live in constant fear or fear of failure then we are not living up to the life that was gifted to us. Because life is just that, a gift. 
I could die tomorrow (I know, I know, morbid but I'm trying to paint a picture) and I would 100% be content with what I've done in life and what I've accomplished. I've cultivated the most amazing friendships with the most amazing friends and family anyone can ask for, I've traveled the world, I've flown through the clouds in the sky by plane and balloon, I've tried out for American Idol, participated in a pageant, been on an MTV Show, graduated college, started my own business, bought a house, bought my car, applied to the FBI and made it to the final round of interviews, worked in a nursing home and hospital, gave the sweetest pup the most wonderful home, saved a few pups from the streets, cried with those that were hurting, adopted a Koala, retrieved an old neighbor's paper for a year because he can't walk down stairs, been Godmother and mentor to the sweetest babies imaginable, tried to live more environmentally friendly, and the list goes on. 
I am not saying those things to boast about my life. I'm tearing up as I write this because I am so grateful and thankful for my life it brings me to tears just thinking about it. Yes - life is hard. I'm rejected all the time, I fail constantly, I'm financially strapped, I've yet to be married or have children and there is so much I still want to do. What gets me through these trials and tribulations is all that I have already done and all that I have been through. I'm taking risks so I can guide my kids through life one day. I'm learning through things, taking new opportunities so I never stop learning and growing as a person. I'm putting myself out there so I continue to meet people and am able to cultivate new relationships. Here is my challenge for you: write down all the things you have accomplished - because it's a lot! Then, write down everything you still want to accomplish. Then, go work your ass off to accomplish those things. When it seems hard, just remember, I'm doing the same. And so is the next gal, and the next one. We are all working to live our best life, all working towards something or for something. 
When you take off your armor, you know, the armor that you use to protect yourself from fear or failure or rejection, you will finally able to take a leap of faith and live a life of freedom. You will know no bounds. You will view the world much differently. You will view the world like me - endless opportunities and fearful of nothing. 
This doesn't mean that I'm not scared, or worried, or anxious, I'm in fact all of the above. But I know, that I will come back from anything that wasn't meant to be. Why? Because I've already done it. This makes me not fearful of doing it all over again. 
So, take a leap. You've got this. Together, we've got this. Now is your time. You are not alone. Not at all.