Neil Armstrong made the biggest understatement of the decade. When he declared that putting his foot on the moon was “One big step for man and one giant step for mankind” the world looked on in amazement.

He was a highly trained astronaut and we can make light of the achievement knowing he was doing what he had prepared long and hard to do. It can’t be denied, however, that he was taking an enormous leap of faith.

Based on our life trainings and experiences I think we should give ourselves credit for also taking similar leaps into the unknown on occasions. It may not be as grand as a journey to the moon but in our little universe, called life, these boundary pushing, comfort zone altering, mind frazzling experiences can be every bit as significant and worthy of notice.

I feel a little on the edge of a precipice myself at the moment. My family is considering changing jobs, schools, house, vehicles… heck, everything except our family members. We might be moving countries.

The opportunity that has come our way seems too good to ignore and inherent in that is a logistical and emotional mountain to climb.

A leap of faith need not be an irrational thing. On the contrary the very word “faith” implies belief of success. Perhaps we don’t know how the situation will pan out or how soft (or hard) our landing will be but at a basic level we believe we’re taking a calculated risk.

It’s not to say it’s enjoyable. Leaping into the unknown can be down right scary!

Talk about stretching the comfort zone! Some leaps of faith require us to leap right out of that zone for the moments it takes to expand our perception of where we’re at. There can feel like a whole long moment of slow motion free fall where we become part of some mental movie image that sees us frozen and yet animated…. moving forward and yet in a temporary no-man’s land of the unknown.

Is it worth the angst, worry or brief exhilaration? I don’t know. Perhaps asking a skydiver or base jumper would be a better option to put it into perspective.

I do know that if the incentive is big enough than many people are willing to nervously line up to the challenge. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Push logic aside with the belief that life will be better for the experience.

To leap or not to leap? The alternative would be perhaps safer but no-where near as exciting.

And so leap we do.