Once I decided to step away from coaching cheerleading, the Universe began to test me.

There was a period of time in between making that decision for myself, and being able to communicate that decision to everyone. It was mostly because of protocol and processes that had to be followed, but that gap of time felt like a lifetime to me.

It felt like I was constantly being poked and prodded, as if the Universe was naggingly saying, “are you sure? are you sure? are you sure?”

Until eventually, I started to doubt myself and my decision. I started wondering, “well jeez, am I sure?!”

It was brutal, and mentally and physically exhausting.

I played the “what if” game a lot, called my mindset coach crying while I was in the middle of a Kohl’s store returning some boots (this was quite the sight), and cried to my husband while trying to sort out the mess in my mind.

But then I had to come back to me and the core of who I am and where I made my decision from in the first place.

At my core, I know i’m confident, steady, energetic, and do my best to operate from a place of inclusiveness and faith. And looking back, I know that I made my decision from that place. I didn’t make it from stress, pressure or fear.

I made it from a peaceful, trusting place.

I made it from a desire to slow down and to grow. So of course those growing pains had to come along for part of the ride.

But here’s the thing. I truly believe that when the Universe tests you in this way, you have two choices: stick with the comfortable and the familiar, or move forward in faith and trust the unknown.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking with what’s familiar – it’s comfortable for a reason. It’s secure. It’s safe. It’s good.

But I’m at a place where I don’t want good. I want great.

And if I have to walk with blind faith into the unknown in order to see what greatness lies ahead of me, then so be it.

I’m ready.