Heart Dreams That Call for Big Leaps

Posted on by Wynne Leon

Over the holidays, I was sitting around talking with my mom and brother. My brother, who lives on a World War II era tugboat, mentioned the advice his friend, BT gave him before he bought his tugboat more than 20 years ago. His friend advised him that he shouldn’t buy the boat because “It’d be a much more complicated project than you think.”

And my mom mentioned the advice that my dad had gotten when he considered taking a job at a non-denominational church in Manilla and moving our entire family to the Philippines in 1970. His mentor had told him not to take the job because “It’d be hard to get back into a church in the states.”

It sparked the memory of the advice I heard from someone when I was considering if I should have a second child: “I wouldn’t do it – it’ll be a lot more work.”

In all three cases the advice came from a close and well-meaning friend, and in all three cases we did it anyway. The other thing that the advice had in common was that it was, practically speaking, spot on.

They say insanity runs in families.

But its not like we’re entirely insane. It might not be everyone’s dream to rebuild a steel ship bit by bit, move their families to a country run by a dictator in a regional hot zone, or choose to be a single parent of two, but all of those have been done by many many people.

So I don’t think we are unusual. But what interests me is that our brand of recklessness is that these acts of faith that spans religious practices, generations, and individual circumstances. My parents were willing to follow the wisdom of their hearts as Charles Dickens identified it:  “There is a wisdom of the head, and…a wisdom of the heart.” And as a result, it probably made it easier for my brother and me to be willing to take a leap of faith when called to by a dream.

 I’ve found inspiration and courage to be very contagious. Seeing others willing to tackle things that are big, hunky, maybe not-so-logical dreams always pumps up my energy for cultivating my own irrational deep desires.

The funny thing about the conversation with my brother and mom is that we were talking about this while comfortably sipping tea on my brother’s tugboat listening to my kids chat away in the galley. While I love hanging out on his boat and all the adventures that we’ve had on it together, I wouldn’t ever choose to take on a project like that.

But that’s the best part of the family insanity. Even when we wouldn’t make the same leaps of faith, we can appreciate each other for the willingness to do so. As Rumi says, “Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”

I’m lucky that I don’t have to look far for people who stoke my fire because I’m related to some of them. And I have a sneaking suspicion that this WordPress community is also full of dreamers and flame-fanners of the highest and best order!

“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.”

Margaret Shepard

(featured photo from Pexels)

44 thoughts on “Heart Dreams That Call for Big Leaps”

  1. I loved the ‘did it anyway’ commentary…and this: “But its not like we’re entirely insane.” I adore your family spunk — the Leon family crest depicting dreamers, fan-flamers, adventurers…and most of all, good people. Thanks for sharing, Wynne! 😘

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  2. I seriously believe that the biggest leap I’ve ever taken was to divorce. I actually had someone (not an incredibly close person) tell me that I wouldn’t make it and that I should just stay. Sometimes with those huge leaps you just know you have to go for it, that it’s scary but it’s also the only way to live the life you were meant to- even the only way to survive. I knew that I was strong and would be fine, but it sure would have helped to know that others believed as well. Thanks Wynne, for the reminder to be willing to leap, but also to stand behind those who are on the edge knowing they need to jump.

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    1. Whoa – I’m bristling about that advice not to get divorced. But I understand the “just stay safe” mentality that we want for our loved ones. Thank goodness you didn’t listen to that advice, Deb. It is so, so brave to leave a relationship when it’s necessary.

      And I love your reminder “to stand behind those who are on the edge knowing they need to jump.” That’s such a beautiful part of being human, isn’t it? Love this, Deb!

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      1. I also understood the message behind the advice, but it was so inappropriate in that moment. Over and done though and I give myself a few moments every now and then to say a silent “I told you so…” when I see that person 😉

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  4. “They say insanity runs in families.” Smiling big at that! The kind of insanity that runs in your family is the good kind for sure, Wynne. 🤍 And the Dickens quote – wow – that’s a keeper. Then the irony of recalling your brother’s dream while sitting on the boat was deliciously satisfying. And you’re right – seeing other people take irrational leaps of faith inspires me too. Just a beautiful post – thank you so much!

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    1. And this is such a beautiful comment, Kendra! Thank you for seeing us and appreciating the satisfaction of the fruits of pushing through!

      I know you are a leaper and applaud you, my friend!! 🙂 ❤

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  5. This is wonderful and the quote from Margaret Shepard is the perfect summation. Our heart want what our heart wants and, I believe, that self-trust is one of the greatest gifts we can grant ourselves (and perhaps it’s even a muscle we can exercise). Looking back, I’ve done some some crazy, uncharacteristic things without support, but it really did feel as if the leap of faith was the only option. I love this, Wynne!

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    1. Self-trust – what a beautiful way to put it, Erin! Yes, I do think it’s a muscle we can exercise – and help others to build. I love, but am not surprised, that you have taken those leaps when it was the only way to go. Thanks for this insightful addition to the conversation!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  6. I’m all for walking through those doors when they open. I know many people who aren’t, probably more than who are, but I wouldn’t change our lives and all the unusual and ultimately rewarding experiences those open doors brought us for anything.

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  9. I’ve been on both sides, and regretted not following my own dreams. My mum wanted me to take time out after my first year in college – at 18, I followed her advice and it took me about 15 years to return to my studies. I lived with ‘what if’ regrets for a very long time.

    Second time was giving up a well paid job as a legal secretary that I was very good at to go to university to study languages. People thought I was crazy … giving up a job and changing careers when I enjoyed what I did and was good at it. The amount of times I was told you only change jobs when you hate it. I knew I had untapped potential and had to explore it. I’ve never looked back

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      1. What I think is ironic, is that although I regretted not staying in study straight from school, now I’m glad I didn’t because I think the path I’m on now is so much better than the outcome I thought would have happened (I hope that makes sense). I don’t necessarily believe in fate, but it does seem to indicate that things happen for a reason 😁

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      2. Yes, that totally makes sense. And I think when we can make sense of things – even our regrets, it improves our satisfaction of the path we are on. Right?

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  10. Sounds like your spark is genetic! 😊 I love that quote that you shared by Rumi. I’m not as entirely spontaneous but I do believe in doing things that make our heart a flutter and feel alive. And it sounds like your brother, dad and you did something each that met that criteria. Life is too short not to light a fire from time to time. 🔥

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    1. “things that make our heart aflutter and feel alive” – that’s great, Ab! And I love how you say that “Life is too short not to light a fire from time to time.” Yes! Either our own or others’ – whatever the circumstances call for! Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  12. Sometimes the facts don’t speak favorably, but our gut tells us it is the right thing to do, or we receive a celestial sign!

    Years ago, when my then 2nd husband and I were deciding between a move to Calgary or to Tucson, AZ, I was praying with my daughter. It was raining and storming, we had pulled off the road onto a quiet gravel area overlooking a field. While we were pouring our hearts out and praying, the lightening bolts changed directions, and instead of going from the skies to the earth, they started to skew sideways, pointing in a Southwesterly direction from where we were sitting. We both looked at each other incredulously. I called my husband and described what we were seeing in the continuous flashes.

    If ever we were looking for an answer to our prayers, that was an incredible answer as any! Needless to say, it convinced us to make the scary international move!

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  13. If insanity runs in families, then we need more of it. You three have accomplished so much. Amazing story. Here’s an idea for a future podcast, an interview with your brother, mother, and you. Was there a point where all three of you thought about giving up your dream? What were the first steps you all took to make the dream/big step a reality? Lots of different places you could go in the interview. I love thought that you all followed your heart. That definitely matters! Thanks so much for sharing Wynne!

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    2. What a fantastic comment, and for more than one reason! I like the insanity comment, it reminded me of the (Shaw?) thing about “if you have skeletons in your closet, the least you could do is make them dance” 🙂 And, yes, on the amazing story of accomplishmentS!

      And I think Brian brought up a FASCINATING question: what is the path to a decision? What are the little steps that make up the big journey? Do we even realize them in retrospect?

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      1. What a lovely and generous comment, EW! You’re right – it does sound like the Shaw quote about skeletons. Didn’t Vicki include that in a post recently? We’re all starting to feed off each other in the best way!

        What is the path to a decision? Such a good question especially when it comes to the leaps! We’re going to have to delve into that one!

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  14. Gosh Wynne, you certainly do make me wish that I’d come from a family of willing, insane adventurers! But I was a laid-back chicken-hearted kid who probably would have recoiled at any idea that would take me out of my comfort zone. My AT hiking granddaughter certainly didn’t get that adventurer’s gene from me! God bless you, one and all. More power to you, and I hope that whatever you do, you’ll enjoy it enough for me too. Although I did publish a couple of books and got a couple of divorces. Does that count? LOL

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    1. A couple of books and a couple of divorces?? Heck yeah, that counts, Julia! I’d say that both contribute to the luminous presence you are today because you listened to what your heart told you was needed. And I wouldn’t underestimate your influence on your granddaughter either – you are such an encouraging, fan-flamer that we are all lucky to bloom in your glow!!

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  15. What a very kind thing to say, Wynne. Thank you so much! I’m chuckling myself silly because I believe that I may have detected a malapropism here—should fan-flamer be flame-fanner? I’m not certain, but either way, I love it—and so appreciate being identified as one or the other! All fans, flames and fanners greatly accepted! ❤️💕

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    1. Oh, I’m howling about the fan-flamer. That sounds like something else altogether!! 🙂 Yes, I meant flame-fanner but now you’ve made it all funny which is one of the best kind of flame-fannings… 🙂

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  16. Isn’t it just so wonderful to enjoy the gift of love and healing in the form of ongoing giggles with a friend in the midst of the doomy, gloomy world these days? Thank you my friend. Every giggle uplifts the world!

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