Just jump! But don't forget your parachute.

Here I am, sitting in a coffee shop again, this time: Starbucks. I'm here because the neighbor I had been stealing internet from for 8 months must have either moved away or gotten smart and put a password on his Wifi.  I'm also here because I had 6 unused gift cards to Starbucks and I felt I should start using them. Bonus: Awesome people-watching. My most favoritest hobby.

Anyway, in case you haven't been paying attention, the New Year is coming soon and you know what that means: Sparkly dresses, resolutions, tons of weight loss commercials, overly full gyms, NYE parties, and of course--the never ending Top Ten lists.  Top Ten songs of 2012! Top Ten celebrities of 2012! Top Ten toys of 2012! Top Ten pet fish names of 2012! Seriously, it doesn't matter what it is, there will be a Top Ten list of anything and everything.  

So to keep up with culture and be a good, holiday-embracing citizen, here is Kirsten's Top Life Lessons Learned in 2012!!  Instead of doing 10, I'm going to shake things up a bit and do the top 3.  Because 10 is excessive.  And because 3 is my favorite number. 

Kirsten's Top Three Life Lessons of 2012!!! [Part One.]

"If you're willing to take a leap of faith, moving doesn't have to be hard. 

But don't jump without a parachute." 

I know I talk about moving a lot, because that seems to be my season of life right now.  Moving might not be on your radar at all.  But are you thinking about switching careers? Buying a house? Going back to school? Taking a year off to travel? The type of faith and practical steps needed to make a big move exercises the same faith muscles as many other big life decisions. 

If you feel unsettled where you are, and if your heart is leading you to something new, and the timing isn't HORRIBLE (there will rarely be a "perfect time" to make any huge life decision)...then take the leap of faith and just do it!! 

Specifically with a move, take the leap now--especially if you're young. Because seriously, if you move and you hate it, give it at least a year...and if you still hate it, you can always move back.  And once you're more settled down I'm sure it gets WAY harder to just pick up and move a family. 

But here are the top three lessons I've learned in preparing for a move:

1. Pray. If you're not the praying type, then hardly anything I say will be too relevant.  I have NO idea how I would get through life or have an ounce of joy without my faith.  I would be an anxious, worrying mess.  But if you pray about it, feel peace and excitement about the move, and your family doesn't seriously threaten to disown you, then just do it! 

Also, prayer goes very well with the whole 'finding a job' aspect of moving.  It's up to you and your own personal wisdom whether to wait to move until you have a job in your new city, or REALLY take a leap of faith and move without a job. Sometimes it's honestly easier to find a job once you're in the new city.  But that doesn't work for everyone.  

One thing I will also say, is sometimes the adventure of moving takes a bit of sacrifice and you have to take a not-so-glamourous job temporarily.  For the most part, getting a job is all about who you know.  Move to a new place, work a job to pay the bills and start meeting people.  Then you will have a much better chance to find your dream job once you've made connections. 

2. Get rid of your stuff!  This is something I've really embraced lately.  Even if you're not moving...it feels so good to get rid of all that extra stuff you don't use! My rule: If I haven't worn it or used it more than once in the past year, get rid of it!! Don't be a hoarder. Also, donate when you can...but don't donate your garbage.  Non-profits like Goodwill have to pay a lot of money to throw stuff away that people donate that is literally just garbage--stained clothes, broken appliances, etc.  Just throw it away. Or recycle it if possible. 

3. Save your money.  Moving isn't cheap.  Moving trucks are expensive.  Down payments on apartments are expensive.  New 3M hooks to hang up all your pictures are expensive. (Seriously it's like $8 for 4 hooks!) Always overestimate how much things will cost.  Sometimes you need to make sacrifices that may seem irresponsible to others, but ultimately that's between you and God--who has given you the abilities and opportunities to acquire those resources in the first place. 

So there you have it.  

Recap: Pray for guidance and peace about the decision. Make practical, tangible steps towards your goal. Make wise financial decisions so you can be a good steward of the resources you have been trusted with.

I call that the parachute of preparation. Okay I don't call it that, I just made that up now. But although you should adequately prepare, eventually you just hafta jump! 

Don't be the one that just sits on the edge. Don't spend your whole life perfecting the parachute. 

That's boring.  And pointless. 

Jump and be the one that inspires other people to jump, too.