You don’t have to just roll with the punches of life or simply accept the status quo. Dare to stand up to life sometimes and demand that it starts meeting some of your terms.

I believe in not only taking advantage of every opportunity, but also creating them when none present themselves.

My husband Jeff and I talked about moving to the mountains several years ago. Almost a year to the date of this article, we decided that life was too short not to go for our dreams. As Jeff said, "If we’re going to be struggling, we may as well be doing it where we want to be." So, we packed up our lives as we knew it and here we are, 2000 miles later. Were we afraid? You bet. Did we have doubts? Almost daily. Were there obstacles, stresses, and sometimes overwhelming challenges? Yes, absolutely, and you-gotta-be-kidding-how-in-the-world-did-we-ever-get-outta-those?! Did any of those things keep us from going? Nope.

What does this mean for you? It means that if a former terrified of risk-taking, no money in the bank having, leaver of a good paying job can give up the known (and bland) security of life as she knew it in order to reach for a dream, so can you open up your mind, heart, and creativity to new dreams and challenges. It doesn’t take guts, only a decision. The guts come later.

You want to write a book? Start it. Do you have one written? Have it edited (preferably by me, lol) and submit it. The adventure—and the greatest reward—is in the doing. Everything that comes along after that is icing and window dressing.

If you are going to struggle with something, at least make that struggle something that you love. It makes all of the bumps and bruises along the way worth every twinge of pain.

I dare ya.