Reflections

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  1. Ose
    Ose
    2 days ago

    now

  2. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    2 days ago

    My move out of south County RI was a leap of faith. I am now in the northern part of the state. Although I do work up here it is a huge change. My son definitely has his father’s genes when it comes to his future and wanting to be successful and I am here for the ride. He is a go getter and that does make life exciting but yet as I get older change isn’t always easy. I will miss my church and still listen on-line to the masses. It really isn’t that far. RI is small but it makes sense for me to find a church closer that I like. I am closer though to family in Mass and my Dad is an hour away. It will be more time to spend with my Dad : )

  3. D
    Deann
    2 days ago

    I have taken leaps of faith when it comes to moves many times in my past. Recently I have taken small leaps with sharing my true thoughts and feelings. I sometimes debate with myself about sharing thoughts, but lately I have been taking the leap and letting someone know their words and manners are not okay.

  4. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol
    3 days ago

    I grew up being taught that faith was my church’s dogma. You are suppose to believe this and this and this. I define faith much differently today. For me the word “faith” means “trust.” I’ve learned that life is trustworthy and so am I. So, I take a leap of faith moment by moment by trusting that life will show me a way. I do my best to be a participant observer. That means that a part of me watches myself so I am involved in the process but also being mindful of whether I am responding or reacting to what is. I’ve always been prone to being a compulsive doubter. Even after I make a decision and am proceeding to implement it, I can find myself debating it in my head. Now, I just watch myself go through the mental debate. It passes so much quicker when I don’t fight it or judge it! I just say, “Oh, there you go and proceed.”

    1. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      Stop look and go!

    2. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      3 days ago

      Carol, I can relate to this myself and say there I go again . 😂🙌

  5. pkr29022
    pkr
    3 days ago

    I took a leap of faith about a year ago when I left my home on the west coast & moved to the Midwest. I lost my husband & I realized there really was not much for me there anymore. I moved to be closer to my daughter & her husband.
    Starting over, creating a new life for myself has been quite challenging while grieving all my losses. Everything is new, different. Ups & downs, bumps in the road, good & difficult days.
    I have had to surrender over & over to the Divine & trust that this “leap of faith” has been the best for me. This new way of living is still unfolding. I trust the Divine is guiding me in the right direction. 🙏🏻✨🕊️🩵

    1. Mary
      Mary Mantei
      2 days ago

      You are courageous, PKR.🩷

    2. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      We are always being guided. That’s why you’re here!

    3. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 days ago

      Things balance out,
      dear PKR . . .
      sometimes these ‘leaps’
      seem to go smoothly,
      as if they were meant to be,
      while others
      are struggles
      that just make me tired . . .
      keeping your heart in them,
      and surrendering,
      do really soften the blow,
      don’t they? ♥

    4. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      PKR, I did the same in 2019 and here it is 2025 and I am finally settling in. It’s not easy and yes, it takes trust and patience.

  6. Mary
    Mary
    3 days ago

    I took a small leap of faith when I went to an art multimedia performance by myself a few weeks ago.
    I didn’t know anyone who wanted to go, other than those who were already going with their partner
    and my husband didn’t want to go.
    So I went by myself and it was fine.
    If I really want to participate, and find community,
    I have to be willing to go to activities by myself.
    It takes a little courage,
    but I always feel good about myself
    when I do things independently.

    1. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      Awesome.l

    2. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      2 days ago

      That’s great Mary!

    3. D
      Drea
      3 days ago

      Mary, that’s inspiring!

    4. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      3 days ago

      This is very encouraging Mary. I need to do this more. Thank you .

    5. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      Good for you! I remember how hard it was to go to things by myself but remind myself that I don’t want to miss the show!

  7. Barb C
    Barb C
    3 days ago

    Every day holds the potential for some little leap, maybe asking someone for a commitment and counting on them to follow through. Ordering something online from a small vendor is a bit of a leap. I just ordered a photography print from someone in England and sent them money via PayPal–that’s potentially a big leap, although our email communications tell me I can trust them.

    I don’t know if it’s a true leap, but I also trust that the things in my home continue to work as they have since we moved here. If I’m using my mom’s old hand mixer (which has to be something like 50 or 60 years old, made by GE), I’m hoping as well as trusting that it will keep working. I’ve already put the ingredients in the bowl and stuck the beaters into the future batter before I turn it on and find out.

    I’ve taken a leap of faith in myself and in others by joining an improv troupe and planning to perform in the near future. Every time we meet and practice I feel stronger in my skills. I know that every single moment in every skit is a leap, relying on the other person to catch us. Their next action or words are another leap and I need to catch them.

    The last really big leaps were accepting a job offer in early 2017 for the position I hold now, and moving to Olympia, WA, in fall 2020. Both were good leaps and I stuck the landing! I love my job and I’ve grown in the position, and we love this little town and our house and neighborhood.

    The big leap of faith we all undertake nearly every day is to trust that other people driving around us will do so responsibly. I’m more aware of it when I walk or bike because I’ve been made vulnerable by the design of roads and ever-larger, ever-more-lethal vehicles. It’s also true when I’m in a vehicle. Every so often I think of how much we rely on others to behave as expected when operating two-ton crushing machines.

    Fun fact: Walking is almost literally a leap of faith. The biomechanics of walking and the body’s work to maintain balance are such that we pick up a foot and essentially start to fall toward the ground until that foot catches us. Then we do it again.

    1. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      Walking is organinzed falling.

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      Love your sharing, Barb. Thank you.

  8. A
    Antonia
    3 days ago

    The last time I took a real leap of faith was when I accepted my ex-husband’s request for a divorce. I was terrified. Years of abuse and abandonment had hollowed me out. I was scared for my children, scared for myself, and deeply unsure of what the future held. I didn’t take that leap because I was ready—I took it because I couldn’t stay. I chose the unknown over the unbearable.
    My future still feels uncertain. I ache with loneliness. The PTSD is real and unresolved. But I can breathe now. And in that breath, there’s space to work toward healing and maybe even serenity.
    I don’t know if I’ll ever fully get there. But working toward the light has introduced me to places like this group. The gentleness I find here is healing and I am so grateful for it.

    1. Michele
      Michele
      2 days ago

      I agree with all the others here, welcome to this space Antonia and may you continue to heal and find serenity.

    2. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      You leapt into the right place.

    3. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 days ago

      May healing keep on its path towards you Antonia.

    4. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      2 days ago

      It takes time Antonia. I have been divorced now over 20 years . I had full custody of my children back then. It does get better. I love being independent and free to do what I please : )

    5. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 days ago

      You are in the right place,
      dear Antonia . . .
      perhaps it was serendipity
      that brought you here.
      Although it doesn’t take the pain away,
      you are most certainly not alone.
      I think there are people here
      who have been where you are . . .
      I am one of them,
      twice,
      because I did not learn my lesson the first time,
      and I had not healed into enough strength
      to withstand what was to come.
      Healing takes time and gentleness towards yourself.
      There is help . . .
      your hollows
      will fill out in time . . .
      the fact that you can breathe now
      is an encouragement,
      and a beautiful first step.
      You can do this . . .
      we are here for you
      with love . . .
      sparrow ♥

    6. D
      Deann
      2 days ago

      You are inspiring and strong this is a good place to be and grow.

    7. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      3 days ago

      ANTONIA,
      PTSD is challenging and it feels fearful . Each day you can come here and let go with us. This is a safe place for all of us . 💓

    8. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      My heart goes out to you, Antonia. You have a lot on your shoulders but remember that everyone’s future is a mystery. I know you feel uncertain but hang in there. Life is really an Eternal Now and when we can be present, the strength we need is always being offered. Today’s quote from Shunryu Suzuki Roshi comes to mind: “I don’t know anything about consciousness. I just try to teach my students how to hear the birds sing.” Sunny Patti says it well, “May you continue to find healing in your breath.”

    9. pkr29022
      pkr
      3 days ago

      Dear Antonia G., thank you for sharing.
      Remember you are not alone, the “whole Universe is inside you”. I believe Rumi wrote this. I often think of these words as I go forward alone.
      Sending you love & peace.
      🩷🕊️🤗🙏🏻

    10. Patti
      sunnypatti
      3 days ago

      This is a great space to be in, Antonia. May you continue to find healing in your breath.

    11. Barb C
      Barb C
      3 days ago

      I’m glad you’re here, Antonia, and glad you got out.

  9. Patti
    sunnypatti
    3 days ago

    Leaps of faith don’t have to be huge, but many of them are. I feel like I take leaps of faith every day. Like has already been mentioned, life itself is a leap of faith. Getting into my car to go wherever I’m going. Getting onto those rollercoasters yesterday! Selling our business equipment and lease last year as well as our home and then moving to a totally new area. All in all, everything we do is about trust and melting into the flow of life. It reminds me of a quote that says, “leap and the net will appear.” Better than sitting in the same place wondering “what if”…

    1. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      Amen, it’s not trite to say, “go with the flow.”

    2. Barb C
      Barb C
      3 days ago

      Great quotation for this question! I had a similar response, that it’s all leaps all the time.

  10. Yram
    Yram
    3 days ago

    The last 1 1/2, helping my husband navigate his poor health, has been a daily leap. I came a cross this quote many years ago:
    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.
    Anonymous

    1. Mary
      Mary Mantei
      2 days ago

      Thank you, Yram. I have not heard this quote for a very long time and I so appreciate your reminder.

    2. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      Amen Amen Amen dear heart. Well said!

    3. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      Ah, yes, The Wings of Willingness.

    4. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 days ago

      Indeed,
      dear Yram . . .
      there have been many leaps of faith. ♥

    5. Patti
      sunnypatti
      3 days ago

      Great quote!

  11. Avril
    Avril
    3 days ago

    Yesterday evening, during a sunset walk on the river, I was listening to a talk from Swami Sarvapriyananda the senior minister of the New York Vedanta Society. He said the happiest people are people who are happy doing what they were doing in that exact moment. They were people who didn’t say there was another time that they were or will be happier. I think this is much like living gratefully. It’s a choice I make moment to moment. This is my greatest leap of faith. I am learning to live as if there is nothing to fear and I am completely supported in every moment. When I am in this flow I find miracles in and around me. I don’t need to test my faith because I and my faith are one and the same thing.

    1. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      3 days ago

      Thank you Avril ,
      Indeed it is living every moment and letting go- trusting. Completely supported in every moment.

      1. Avril
        Avril
        2 days ago

        Thank you Antoinette

    2. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      “I and my faith are one and the same thing.” Avril, that is a very good definition for willingness.

      1. Avril
        Avril
        2 days ago

        I always appreciate your reflections Carol

    3. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 days ago

      To be happy in the moment,
      dear Avril,
      is the purest form of gratitude I think . . .
      thank you for this. ♥

      1. Avril
        Avril
        2 days ago

        Thank you Sparrow

    4. Patti
      sunnypatti
      3 days ago

      I agree with you about that flow. Thank you for the reminder.

      1. Avril
        Avril
        2 days ago

        Thank you Sunnypatti

  12. Ngoc Nguyen
    Ngoc Nguyen
    3 days ago

    Before I leave my response to this question, I truly appreciate the Longman Dictionary, which taught me what “leap of faith” means. After reading all your answers and still remaining unsure about the question, I wanted to answer it with “leap of faith.” But my curiosity to learn took me to the dictionary to get the phrase’s definition.
    A leap of faith is something you do even though it involves a risk, hoping that it will have a good result. According to this definition, I see that I have taken a lot of “leaps of faith.” The essay is due on Wednesday, and I just started it on Monday, so hopefully, it can be done on time. Oh God! It’s so motivating, yet it’s a great risk. May you all have a beautiful day!

    1. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      You can do it!

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      2 days ago

      You can do this,
      dear Ngoc . . . ♥

    3. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      NGOC, May you enjoy writing your essay! Sending loving energy your way.

      1. Ngoc Nguyen
        Ngoc Nguyen
        2 days ago

        May you enjoy your beautiful day, too. Thank you so much for your loving message. 😍

    4. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      My Ngoc, wishing you the best of luck on your essay. My thoughts and prayors go out to you.

      1. Ngoc Nguyen
        Ngoc Nguyen
        2 days ago

        Love you as always, my Loc. 😘

        1. L
          Loc Tran
          2 days ago

          Love you too, my Ngoc.

  13. J
    John
    3 days ago

    It was early in my (second) marriage when I had a discussion with my wife (now 19+ years) about my evolving lack of faith. I admitted that I was agnostic to a woman who is a believer. She asked questions, argued her best with what I had thought about for several years. She remains frustrated with my lack of belief, but we are still in love. I do go to church with her, as the place we attend has a couple of pastors who “get it” and nearly always have something practical to say about how to live in a chaotic world.

    1. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      Gratefulness is a hypostesis of the Divine. Being here is an act of devotion. I think it’s brave to be agnostic and admit we really don’t know. But, we can still have faith in love and gratefulness.

    2. Avril
      Avril
      2 days ago

      Gratefulness is a hypostesis of the Divine. Being here is an act of devotion. I think it’s brave to be agnostic and admit we really don’t know. But, we can still have faith in love and gratefulness.

    3. Carol Ann Conner
      Carol
      3 days ago

      John, I think you lack Dogma not faith! I relate!

  14. D
    Drea
    3 days ago

    I take a leap of faith every time I leave the house. I regularly see sketchy driving out here.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      2 days ago

      “Sketchy” Even when traveling the back roads of the San Luis Valley, every moving vehicle must be deemed suspect.

    2. Robin Ann
      Robin Ann
      2 days ago

      I agree with that. It seems to be getting worse too!

    3. Barb C
      Barb C
      3 days ago

      People’s driving behavior is part of my answer too, Drea. I work in transportation safety and active transportation so I think about this every day.

      1. Mary
        Mary
        2 days ago

        I think about this a lot, Barb, since I read your post about it 2 or 3 weeks ago.
        There aren’t that many pedestrians where I drive, but there are some.
        I watch for them, but more importantly, I am driving more carefully.

    4. Yram
      Yram
      3 days ago

      And that’s the truth.

  15. L
    Loc Tran
    3 days ago

    I’m taking a leap of faith right now as I answer this question. Other than that, I can’t remember. Overthinking is the last thing we need and defeats the purpose.

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