(Clarion, IA) – I’m looking at a poster. The background is of a late sunset casting a deep orange glow on the horizon. There is a cliff in the forefront with a person mid-leap from its angled edge. Their arms stretched out, legs in motion; a look of sureness on their face. The phrase “Take the Leap” is boldly written across the top. I think about that idiom: to do something risky, or uncertain, but that could be life-changing. I’ve made it through a lot of difficult “leaps”, but something about seeing those words now feels off. I close my eyes; I don't want to face them.
With my eyes now closed I’m left only with my thoughts. I imagine myself just standing on that cliff; panic-stricken. I know the reason I’m here, but I feel too heavy to move. I inch my way towards the edge to look down at what I’m facing this time. My heart aches, my stomach turns; I begin to tremble. The shouts of what-if’s, doubts, and uncertainty are echoing relentlessly from the valley below. I want to shout back, but unspoken words are stuck in my throat and I can't make a sound. Terrified of uncertainty and untrusting of my strength, I step back. I'm safe here. I slowly take a deep breath in, hold for a few seconds, and release those thoughts with my slow breath out.
I open my eyes. Everything looks blurry so I focus on the poster until I can see more clearly. It all looks the same, except now I notice something I hadn’t before. There’s a radiant glow adding to the color of the sunset. I can’t make out what’s causing it, so I lean in for a closer look. I see silhouettes of people holding lanterns, the light revealing a landing not far from the cliff’s edge. My first instinct is not to trust what I see and close my eyes again. But the glow from the lanterns captures my stare and offers a warm assurance. I visualize the faces of the people when a rush of lucidity floods my soul; I’m enlightened. I take a step back from the poster to see the whole picture and read the phrase again: “Take The Leap”, but I’m not going to close my eyes.
To those who share their light; I see you.
