Our Mission is to increase women’s participation and opportunity in trail running and hiking through inspiration, education and empowerment.
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I was driving home from the post office after shipping a Trail Sisters package to North Bend, Oregon when the song Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters came on the radio. This familiar beat triggered me to think about the scene from The Holiday when Hugh Grant dances around his house because he realizes he is in love. Immediately, I started bopping around in my driver seat. Let’s be honest, it’s a catchy little tune.
Paired with this film flash back came the motivation and prompt to write this post; which really has nothing to do with falling in love, well, at least with a person. Ha.
People love to want. We want all kinds of things, and we want them all the time. We love daydreaming about all the things we wish we could have. What we’d do if we had them, how life could change, and what it would look like.
Ironically, the majority of people who want don’t actually go out and make moves to obtain what it is that they lust for. They will plan and even manifest how it looks/feels until they can “taste it,” but none of that matters unless they take action.
Besides want, people also love opportunity…or at least waiting for it. How many times have your heard, “I’ll do it when the time is right,” or “I’ll do it when I’m ready.” Days, weeks, months go by, and still that person isn’t ready. They keep waiting because they know, one day, they will catch their “big break.”
Well…I’m sorry to crush the dreams of the wishers and wanters, but the only way to get what you want is the make it happen. The only way to take advantage of a great opportunity, is by creating it!
People don’t generally get to where they’re at by wishing themselves to those places. They’ve worked to earn those goals. When you work hard and dedicate yourself (to whatever it is) the doors start to open for you, and opportunity presents itself.
If you want to run a sub 20 minute 5k, win your next 50k, get a promotion at work, or start a website called TrailSisters.net …whatever it may be…you can only make it happen by taking action and dedicating yourself to the goal.
One of the most satisfying things I’ve done in my life thus far, was quitting my full time office gig to follow my dreams and create the life I wanted. I love running, traveling, and having the ability to approach each day with the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Shouldn’t we all have those liberties…? We only live once, that we know of.
So, how did I make this happen? I took a long hard look at my strengths, the things I enjoyed, and the things I was good at. From there, I created jobs that allowed me the liberties I wanted, and also enabled me to make money to pay the bills.
It definitely isn’t always easy, but achieving the outcome that I wanted so badly is worth all the work in making it happen.
Whatever wants you may have, or opportunities you may hope for, go after them! Don’t wait or wish. Take action to get what you want, and when you achieve it, soak in the feelings of that moment and let them stay with you. Make something happen everyday, and success will surely come your way!
**Side Note for naysayers: I don’t have a trust fund or random nest egg of cash set aside for me, in case you think I’ve made these choices based on the security of a safety net.
Call for comments:
What is it that makes you the happiest?
What is your biggest fear in chasing your dreams?
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4 Responses
LOVE this post. More than you know. I am a ‘want-er’ or ‘dream-er’ but haven’t made the leap … yet. I also don’t know what my strengths are … I know what I enjoy and the list is quite varied LOL.
What makes me happiest is running in the woods (far) and talking plant-based nutrition with anyone that will listen … and editing videos – usually about running and plant-based nutrition.
What is my biggest fear? That I won’t earn enough to support sending my two kiddos to college. My dad worked hard as a single parent to get me through college (and I worked too – earning scholarships and working while attending) … I owe them the chance to go if they choose that path. It was the best decision I ever made. I commend your leap!
Hey Trailmomma!
Thanks for reading and for your comment. The money thing is by far the hardest/scariest part. I don’t have kids, thus that is one part I don’t have to think about. BUT, if I did, I’m not sure I would be doing what I’m doing. Like you, I believe education is super important and would want to help put my kiddos through college.
As for finding your strengths…they will reveal themselves to you…just keep your eyes open 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words and support!
-Gina
Ah, from one of my favorite movies, Love Actually. I’m still trying to decide what makes me happiest. Or, rather, accepting what that might be. My fear biggest fear is that accepting what makes me happiest means walking away from my education and career up to now, creating something new to put out into the world, and doing it all with $10 to my name. ACK!
Want and opportunity, wait and wish – really enjoy what you have to say about these things. I also think people should have more work/life balance, esp if we can’t just ‘quit’ our day jobs and adventure or run professionally. I find that living in Colorado offers a good work/life balance and I am always in the mountains on the weekend, and I make the work day fun by running either to or from work most days.
What makes me the happiest is just being outside or being in the mountains, and what has kept me from chasing my dreams is other people’s opinions, fear of failure, and fear of risk.