Reason 58: Leap and the net will appear

100 Reasons I'm Retiring

“Leap and the net will appear.” Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

I read The Artist’s Way and its companion workbook about a million years ago. Okay, really it was back in 2014 when I was working as an instructional coach at six schools and teaching evening and weekend college classes to make ends meet and cover Ron’s growing medical bills. I read it, I sighed, and I put it back on my bookshelf. I had too many other responsibilities to even think about taking a leap. And what if I broke both arms? Who was going to cover my medical bills?

But the seed was planted. It’s taken 10 years to take root and grow.

In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron emphasizes that the original quote was not hers but belonged to Johann Wolfgang van Goethe who also said, “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.” There is also this quote from explorer William Hutchinson Murray,” Concerning all acts of initiative or creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.”

Concerning all acts of initiative or creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

We humans want the net, the backup plan. And we can have the net. We just can’t have it until we commit.

I am committing to a ministry of writing. I have no million -dollar bank account or stocks or lucrative IRA account. When people ask me what I will do when I am no longer teaching fulltime, I tend to say, “Oh, I’ll write and edit. Maybe teach some college courses.”

Is it scary? Sure. But before Ron’s car accident and illnesses changed our lives, I thought the loss of my husband would be the hardest thing I would have to deal with. In comparison, this doesn’t seem that hard.

I’ll leap. Then I’ll let you know.

Remember when Indiana Jones had to take the leap of faith? It worked out for him!

Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade

Have you needed to take a leap of faith? How did it work out for you?