The funny thing is playing it safe never catapulted a career to unexpected success, and it certainly didn’t impress those you love because holding back is like turning the dimmer down on life.  It is similar to saying, “Life, I realize you have amazing, unexpectedly beautiful things to offer me, but since I don’t know what they are exactly, I’m going to have to pass and just live the life I know which is safe and predictable.”

The amazement waiting to be savored in life is wrapped up in a box, but so many of us are so terrified that a scary clown is going to pop out of the box that we choose not to take the risk and open it anyway.

I can honestly say, life continues to become richer and more awe-inspiring which leaves me speechless and beyond appreciative for choosing to give it my all. Initially it will be intimidating to put yourself out there, but for all the positive energy and effort we place into something, it tends to act like a boomerang.  You’re never sure when it will flip a U-turn and arrive back at your feet, but the universe has a funny way of rewarding those who wholeheartedly choose to seek the rewards and bounty she has to offer.

Think of it this way, here are few of the simple pleasures in life that if we don’t fully let ourselves savor, we never experience what all they have to offer:

1. The jelly in a jelly donut

2. The rainbow after a rainstorm

3. The exhilaration that follows a hard fought victory

4. The depth of trust developed over time with your partner

5. REM sleep

6. Dessert at the end of a five course meal

7. The bounty of spring at the end of a long, cold winter

8. The diploma earned at years of hard work which will help to open doors

9. The satisfying ending of your favorite book

10. The happy ending

11. Biting into freshly baked cookies instead of eating all of the dough

12. Losing yourself in laughter after a well delivered joke

13. The weekend after a long, productive week

In other words, beautiful things arise after we do all that is necessary, required and possible of our efforts, but if we stop halfway or only give a little, we will never experience the full potential of what is patiently wanting to be discovered.

“The secret of happiness is freedom.  The secret of freedom is courage.”  -Thucydides

So today, ask yourself, “Where am I holding back in my life?” and decide to from this day forward throw your full body weight into those aspects of your life that deserve your 100% effort.