Wednesday Sponsor Giveaway: Freehand Scraps, Big Picture Scrapbooking, + Paper & Co. Show

Oops...forgot my leap. Keeping my chin up -- my company's closing by mid-March and I'm back on a job search. But that's life, gotta take the bad with the good and be brave (at least that's my philosphy as not eveything is within one's control).

My recent leap was to sign up for a 10K class - a big leap for me since I am a very large woman.

My biggest leap is to remain loyal to my soulmate. While it is getting harder every day, I realize that this is the one person in my life, that loves me unconditionally no matter what I do, and I should do the same, not matter how the stressful time turns him into a grump!

My leap was on monday, when my baby started full time school. I had to walk away and come home to an empty house and so begins a new chapter in my life. I am sad but excited at the possibilities. And she was thrilled to be a 'big girl' and had a great day!

Most recent leap of courage was handing my 16 year old keys to his own car. 16 years fly by and you are giving this baby of yours his freedom. Very scarey!

Love your giveaways, Ali.
I haven't made any great leaps of courage lately. The most I have done is gotten out of bed to face another day. Sometimes that takes everything a person has. I guess it is all about perspective ;-))
Have a great day!
Debby

My leap was standing up for myself at work when I felt I was unfairly being overlooked. I have been working for a small company for a while and felt I kept getting overlooked for promotion. I sat quietly working away, waiting for "my time" and kept internalizing my sadness as others advanced. I kept getting praise for my performance, but no reward. About 4 months ago, I finally decided to speak to the area manager to see what I needed to do to be promoted (I had gone to my supervisor several times and was told to be patient and to keep proving myself). I found out that my supervisor had been sabotaging me and telling upper management that I wasn't interested in another position and did not want to travel or relocate if needed--SO NOT TRUE. I am now heading my own small office in another city, and my former supervisor was 1st demoted, then left the company. I later found out she was intimidated by me because I picked up the job quickly and excelled, while others in my position had not done so well. She saw my potential and did not want me to possibly exceed her--she was threatened because she did not know her job well. I am flourishing in my new position and feel like I am a true asset to the company.

Thank you for the post and lovely work every day.
Today I returned to the mammography lab, on an urgent callback, because of a suspicious film. I come from a family that keeps medical stuff under tight wraps, like speaking of it will make it contagious. My leap of courage was to ask my galpals for support beforehand, so I could galvanize my positive energy. The radiologist gave me the all clear after the visit today, and my thanks goes out to my friends.

My leap was standing up for myself at work when I felt I was unfairly being overlooked. I have been working for a small company for a while and felt I kept getting overlooked for promotion. I sat quietly working away, waiting for "my time" and kept internalizing my sadness as others advanced. I kept getting praise for my performance, but no reward. About 4 months ago, I finally decided to speak to the area manager to see what I needed to do to be promoted (I had gone to my supervisor several times and was told to be patient and to keep proving myself). I found out that my supervisor had been sabotaging me and telling upper management that I wasn't interested in another position and did not want to travel or relocate if needed--SO NOT TRUE. I am now heading my own small office in another city, and my former supervisor was 1st demoted, then left the company. I later found out she was intimidated by me because I picked up the job quickly and excelled, while others in my position had not done so well. She saw my potential and did not want me to possibly exceed her--she was threatened because she did not know her job well. I am flourishing in my new position and feel like I am a true asset to the company.

My leap was standing up for myself at work when I felt I was unfairly being overlooked. I have been working for a small company for a while and felt I kept getting overlooked for promotion. I sat quietly working away, waiting for "my time" and kept internalizing my sadness as others advanced. I kept getting praise for my performance, but no reward. About 4 months ago, I finally decided to speak to the area manager to see what I needed to do to be promoted (I had gone to my supervisor several times and was told to be patient and to keep proving myself). I found out that my supervisor had been sabotaging me and telling upper management that I wasn't interested in another position and did not want to travel or relocate if needed--SO NOT TRUE. I am now heading my own small office in another city, and my former supervisor was 1st demoted, then left the company. I later found out she was intimidated by me because I picked up the job quickly and excelled, while others in my position had not done so well. She saw my potential and did not want me to possibly exceed her--she was threatened because she did not know her job well. I am flourishing in my new position and feel like I am a true asset to the company.

My biggest leap recently has been reconnecting with some people I haven't spoken to in decades.

Thank you for the opportunity to win such great prizes. My most recent leap has been to renew trust in myself.

my almost leap - is the possiblity of moving from ohio to north carolina...

The feb kit looks awesome. I am not a big "leaper", I guess I need to get outside my box more.

Starting a new business with my husband.

My biggest leap of faith was simply letting go. I had to start to believe in others and let my compulsiveness to always be in control go. It was absolutely killing me. Now, I am happier and my family has ownership for what they do which makes them feel more confident.

I think my most recent leap was putting myself out there to make friends in our new area. I tend to be shy/ intimidated when it comes to that kind of stuff, but it has really paid off recently.

I have spent years constructing this dream when I graduated college: I would move to Chicago, get the perfect public relations job and quickly become the envied big city girl among my group of friends. After months of painful job searching upon graduating, fate finally stepped in, and I was presented with a great opportunity. I jumped at the chance to make my big city dream a reality, and before I knew it, my childhood room was being loaded into the back of a U-Haul, and I was on my way to The Windy City. I left behind my family, my hometown, and my friends and entered a city alone.
I was recently laid off after only a year of living my dream. I instantly panicked and spent many weeks riding a rollercoaster of emotions, often tempted to give up and return to the comfort of my family. I had to reach deep down and find the faith and courage in myself to follow my dreams. I realized I had reached a wall, but there’s always a way over the wall if you really want what’s on the other side bad enough.
Today, I still live in Chicago, in the apartment that I love. I was able to take a job with one of my best friends in an industry I love: scrapbooking. I discovered a lot about who I am and what I am capable of during that obstacle.

Going back to University after having my third child recently.
Thanks Ali for the constant inspiration and cool giveaways!

My leaps lately have been to purchase my son a powerwheels for his 3rd birthday (we live on a busy road and I'm so terrified that he's going to drive out there into traffic) and also to give up trying to have another baby after a year and a half of trying.

My leap.....I recently posted a layout to a company's contest. It's hard to put your stuff out there and then feel the rejection if you aren't successful. I have tried hard to remind myself that regardless of how successful I am putting my stuff out there, the bottom line is that I have preserved a memory for my boys. That is the most important thing.

I have been trying (no fear) scrapbooking, writing and creating in general, I am proud to say that I am still here and a whole person.

I had a crab cake sandwich while in Louisiana last week and I am NOT a seafood person. I figured, 'when in Rome.' It was pretty tasty!

My most recent act of courage: start a brand new job at age 46 - an elementary school secretary! Never in my life did I imagine having such a wonderful job - I love it!!

Ali, I really needed to read your post today. My little leap of courage came Monday when I spoke at my father in laws memorial service to honor his life and the impact it had on me. Lately, I've been emotionally exhausted from my career, my kids, my life thanks for reminding me to reflect on how important each moment of change is. I've lost a little bit of this insight in the last 3 months. Supporting someone you love with advanced cancer is tough, really tough. But I'm picking my spirits back up and being courageous!