Have you ever stood at the edge of a dream, heart racing, wondering if you should take the plunge? I have. And let me tell you, the view from here is both terrifying and exhilarating.

For the past several years, I’ve dedicated my life to inspiring transformation, not just in others, but in myself. It’s a journey that has led me to a profound realization I shared several weeks ago: this is my purpose. But it’s not just about me. It’s about all of us, standing on the edge of glory (as Gaga would sing), wondering if we dare to leap.

I was reminded this week of something I shared a few years ago on my personal social media pages. It was a meme with the quote, “Maybe it won’t work out. Maybe it won’t be what you wanted. Or it just may be the adventure of a lifetime. Take some chances,” attributed to J. Mike Fields.

Lately, I’ve been sitting on the sidelines watching a friend of mine work on becoming a stand-up comedian and following his dream. Millions of people are following their dreams, so what makes this guy so special?

Well, for one thing, he’s getting a start later in life. Again, people do that all the time. But the most important thing is that he’s spent his entire life not thinking he was good enough to do anything. Growing up, he wasn’t encouraged but rather belittled. His adult life has been difficult, with failures and a general lack of self-worth. His inner self-talk was sabotaging him every step along the way.

He’s confided in me that my journey, openness, and willingness to take on acting again after 30+ years away have inspired him to pursue his dreams. On a personal level, I cannot adequately express what that means to me. He is finding confidence in this pursuit; he is taking classes in improv and working on audition material for America’s Got Talent. And he thanks ME for inspiring him.

That is humbling.

Whenever I hear from a reader who shares their story of how they’ve been inspired by something I’ve written, I feel proud and humble at the same time. This blog, this journey I’m on, and the sharing I do is not all about grief and recovery; it’s about living our best lives — whether we’re grieving or not. Grief will always be part of my journey, and it’s the cornerstone of this Life After Losses work.

But here’s the thing for me: being mired in grief and mourning doesn’t allow me to live a full life.

After my first loss, those first two years were all about the mourning; I didn’t live; I existed. I went through the motions automatically, rarely thinking about what life meant to me anymore. When I finally realized I could live and still carry the grief with me as a shadow companion rather than an ominous being, I began actually to live again.

That was my “ENOUGH!” moment, that point in time when I just couldn’t live in despair any longer. And while I’d love to give you the exact prompt that led me to that moment, there wasn’t one.

A dream where I felt him tell me it was time? Scattering his ashes in a place he loved? The realization I was slowly trying to kill myself? A combination of all? I can’t say, but I felt it. I KNEW it.

After my second loss, I knew I would be able to live with the grief instead of for it. I knew I didn’t need to feed that monster so it would take over. I gave it space, and I gave it the attention it needed not to devour me.

I let it tell my story and guide me to the realization that my first loss was needed to teach me what I needed to survive the second. It took over seven years after the second loss to have that epiphany; finding the grief from my second loss led me to gratitude.

From the space of gratitude, happiness and possibility can be found. And it was here that I found the courage to follow a dream. Maybe it will work out. Maybe it won’t. But I’m enjoying the adventure of trying to find out. Just like my friend.

Life is full of uncertainties, and that makes it exciting to me. The quote from J. Mike Fields resonates with the journey I’ve been on and the stories I’ve shared. It’s a reminder that the greatest risk in life is not taking any risks at all; “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” I’ve heard.

So, I encourage you, dear reader, to take that chance. Whether it’s pursuing a long-forgotten dream, changing careers, or simply trying something new, embrace the possibility of failure as much as the potential for success. Because when it comes down to it, it’s about growth and the incredible stories you’ll have to tell. Every great adventure starts with a single step into the unknown. What will your next step be?

As for me, I’ll continue to share my journey, hoping it inspires others as my friend’s courage has inspired me. I’ve said it before: you inspire me. Let’s make our lives an adventure worth telling. After all, isn’t that what life after loss—and life itself—is all about?