Sometimes You Just Have to Jump

Sometimes you just have to dare to jump, usually figuratively. It can happen that you suddenly find yourself unhappy in a certain situation or job. That’s the moment to take a step, maybe even several, that can change your life in a positive way. That first step is often the hardest, whether in big or small changes in life.

A few years ago, my wife and I were on our honeymoon in Indonesia. We traveled from Java to Bali. One day, on our way to our next destination, we saw a sign by the road pointing to a waterfall. “Okay, let’s take a look,” we thought.

After five minutes, we arrived at the waterfall: a beautiful sight. We took some photos, enjoyed the moment, and then? Go back, I assumed. But in the distance, I saw a path that ran alongside the waterfall, deep into the dense forest. My first reaction was: let’s go see, who knows what we’ll discover. My wife was a bit hesitant, but I managed to convince her.

What followed was a breathtaking journey through unspoiled nature, past more waterfalls and stunning rice fields. We would never have seen this if we had just turned back. What at first seemed like a short walk of twenty to thirty minutes turned into a four-hour hike. Beauty is often found in hidden places, in things that are not immediately obvious. By giving curiosity a chance, you discover things you would otherwise never see. The greatest reward often lies outside your comfort zone.

Dare every now and then to do something different from what you’re used to. Change doesn’t happen by itself. They don’t have to be giant leaps, as long as you take action. Of course, change always carries a certain amount of risk. Sometimes it turns out completely different than you expected.

Is the outcome good or bad? Either way, there’s always a lesson to be learned that enriches you. And sometimes… doing nothing at all is also just fun 🙂.

Recently, I heard a quote in a podcast that I found very fitting: “Jump off the cliff and grow your wings on the way down.”