You may think this whole moving to Paris for graduate school thing is bold of me. Brave, even. I can assure you it's neither; at least not in the sense that I am somehow impressive for doing it. One day, I just want to be able to say Georgia O'Keeffe's words: "I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life--and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do."
A few months ago, Amy of The Life Optimist recounted this story:
I have dreams, big ones; the kind of dreams most twenty-somethings have accepted as childhood fallacies in place of more realistic hopes. I sometimes wish I could be satisfied with a steady monotony. But, I can't. And that is what makes taking chances like these--uprooting my life so that I can later arrange it in an even more rewarding place--worth it to me.
Note: Out of necessity, I remind myself of this fact often.
Kyra Sedgwick has been filming The Closer for seven seasons and recently decided to end the run. She says she was conflicted about it because it was a steady job for her as well as for the cast and crew. But her heart was no longer in it. As she told Redbook, she was torn over the decision for a long time until her husband Kevin Bacon finally said to her, "What about, just for tonight, you decide that you don't want to do another year?"
"Okay!" Kyra said. "But just for tonight, I can change my mind tomorrow." Then, she says, "as I lived with it, it felt so right to me."What a safe and simple way to test a tough decision and see how it feels, huh?
Thoughts? "I don’t think anyone changes their life until their current state of being is impossible to live in." -Elizabeth Gilbert
Photos from my first trip to France
i so want to go with you!!!!
ReplyDeleteyou're going to have the time of your life :)
This post really resonated with me. Specifically this paragraph:
ReplyDelete"Because at the end of the day, I do worry about making the wrong choice, I am afraid of making a huge mistake, and I am certainly taking a risk by making it. But then I think about the alternative. I think about what would be if I let fear keep me from fulfilling this dream that has manifested itself into a real life opportunity. And those thoughts are always scarier; scary enough to make me willing to try."
I completely understand what you mean. When you make a huge decision outside the norm, most people think you're brave or crazy or a mixture of both. But sometimes you just have to plunge in and do what you want even if it might be scary, because no matter how it turns out, it'll be better than living the rest of your life with a bunch of "what ifs".
Good for you Danielle! I hope it's an amazing experience for you!
first I wanted to say, thanks for your email :) It made me feel way better. Second, it's freaky that now that I am breaking off from what I thought I "had" to do and actually pursuing what I "want" to do, everything on the internet seems to give me the inspiration to do so (case in point: this post). I guess my point with all this is...this is awesome and inspiring and I couldn't thank you enough. And also, it's going to be amazing for you. Never a mistake!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Danielle. That quote by Georgia O'Keefe is one of my favorites too. Congrats on following your heart. I'm so excited to follow along on your journey!!! I may have to visit you one day in Paris:)
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Kate
@Shannon: I wish you could go with me! Then I would definitely have the time of my life :)
ReplyDelete@Katie Bernath: Gosh, I'm so glad you get it. What you said is exactly how I feel. Thank you for the well wishes; I hope so too!
@hannah debbie: Any time, dear! I'm so glad you found it inspiring, I think I wrote it somewhat to reassure myself :) and your encouragement is so appreciated. Thank you!
@kate365til30: Thanks so much, Kate! It would be wonderful if you could visit! xo
agh! i so so agree. but i definitely agree that once you try out all the possibilities, your heart always steers you to this place. and i definitely think that is paris for you! sooooo excited to see all of your adventures!
ReplyDelete@mackenzie: Thank you for believing in me, darling :) I'm excited, too!
ReplyDeleteBravo! Enjoy the amazing year ahead Danielle ;)
ReplyDelete@Helena: ¡Gracias, amiga!
ReplyDeleteSo many good quotes Danielle- I love both the one from Georgia & the one from Kyra. Both of them offer a courage and ability to consider the possibilities... like you're doing when you say yes to Paris. A bientot amie!
ReplyDelete@anneliesz: Merci beaucoup!
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