"When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly." ~ Barbara J. Winter
Step off... step out, step up, just don't step back.
Back is where you have been.
Forwards is where you are going.
There is nothing so rewarding as a thundering forwards step. Even if the ground quakes. Even if you fall.
Write your way there. Be your life's ambition. And when you get to the last words of your book and type 'the end' think about how all endings are really beginnings.
If writing is the breathing of your heart, be your own tomorrow. Imagine your future self and have her visit the self of today. Listen when she speaks the words you wish you could go back and tell yourself.
"This will turn out so much better than you could ever have hoped. Hang in there."
And then,
step off.
What about you? When have you stepped off? Did you regret it?
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I've done a whole bunch of stepping off lately, and as yet, I'm not sure whether I'll end up regretting it or not. *gulp*. I'm hoping for not!
ReplyDeleteI've done a few in the past some I was pleased with one deffinately not,
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day
Yvonne.
Yes I have!!! And still do each day:)
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm doing more and more stepping off in this business and by golly I think I'm learning to fly.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Great words of inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI really only enjoy stepping off after the drop in my stomach subsides. I tend to prefer tight ropes.
I don't regret it at all! Even if it hurts sometimes. Great post Tabitha!
ReplyDeletei guess the beauty in the unknown, is that you truly do have a piece of control ... imagine if your choice would have been different? the butterfly effect...
ReplyDeleteinvoking thoughts today. :)
this is a wonderful piece of poetry. I think I will copy it out and post it above my desk. Stepping off is something I do practice but as much as you do it there is still more stepping off to do - fearlessly and joyously!
ReplyDeleteI stepped out in 2005 and haven't regretted it at all though I have had the typical artist's mix of upswings and downswings.
ReplyDeleteGirl, your writing SOARS!!
Are you tired of that trite saying?
Patti
Yes! It takes faith and forward motion. We have chosen a long path and we will never get there if we dawdle.
ReplyDeleteI love this, Tabitha! I love stepping out and beyond. We learn so much by stepping away or stepping off.
ReplyDeleteI've been stepping back too much. Time to step away and off into the unknown. Love it.
ReplyDeleteFriday is my last day of work. I'm stepping off. My sister says, "Saturday is the first day of the best of your life."
ReplyDeleteI have some ideas, but when I step off I may end up with something entirely unexpected.
Thanks for your post today.
Right now, it feels like I've been stepping off and on forever.
ReplyDeleteBut lately there is a momentum growing inside me. Somewhere there is a pendulum is swinging, picking up speed. I'm beginning to grow restless as the pieces of my story fall together, they are calling out to be made into a 'whole'.
I think I might just make it :)
I SO needed to read this today. Thanks, Tabitha!
ReplyDeleteI have not stepped off yet. Still standing on the edge of familiarity, trembling. Thanks for the motivation :)
ReplyDeleteYup!
ReplyDeleteLove this. So beautiful. I just love your voice.
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteI stepped off, and have never yet regretted it. Faith is so powerful.
Oh, girl, you have no idea. It seems like every major leap I have ever made had to start with a leap of faith. There have been times when I thought about just leaping, period, and then other times when I've felt like life was an embarrassment of riches. I've never been afraid to step off, and i think I owe most of the best things in my life to that trait.
ReplyDeleteHmm, whether you meant it or not that's another one for Jamie today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wonderful words. They are making a difference to my week.
You need to go read THE JOURNAL KEEPER. You will love it. LOVE. IT.
ReplyDeletePerfect in every way, starting with that amazing quote. Here's to stepping off together, every single day.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I second Carrie's recommendation of The Journal Keeper.
ReplyDelete