Real-Life Connection
Take a moment to think about every time in your life when you didn’t do something because you were too afraid of the outcome. Now think about every moment where you saw that the outcome was great, could’ve been the best thing that ever happened to you, but didn’t because you didn’t take the leap. That is our story.
vxvxvx22. “Make That Jump - HIMYM.” Youtube, vxvxvx22, 10 Feb. 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vblalElzSj8.
Particularly, I was inspired by this one moment from the hit TV show, How I Met Your Mother. Without spoiling too much, the main cast is on the roof taking both a metaphorical and physical leap across buildings. One by one, they each jump and make it to the other side, representing the start of a new beginning. The last one to jump is Ted, the main character. For context, he essentially had the worst and most heartbreaking year of his life, but instead of letting it get to the best of him, he says, “And damn it if it wasn't the best year of my life. Because if any one of those things hadn't happened, I never would've ended up in what turned out to be the best job I ever had. But more importantly, I wouldn't have met your mother”. In the end, he makes it to the other side, and that is the start of the build to the greatest moment in his life.
I found this scene incredibly inspiring and relatable, simply because there were several moments in my life where I found out something incredible could’ve happened to me, but didn’t because I didn’t take the extra step. And all that sadness and guilt build up, which almost puts me in the same place as the main character. But now, whenever I take that leap I’m so glad I did, because just like Ted, even if it wasn't the best year or moment, without it the best thing would’ve never happened to me.
PERSONAL NARRATIVE
There is a job out there that requires risk taking all the time. Putting a certain amount of money into a domain and just waiting, waiting to see if it goes up or down. Sometimes, one wrong move can put a rich man onto the streets. This is the power of the stock market. One of America's most successful people who profited from investing in the stock market is me. My income comes from investments that can either shoot up or shoot down. My first stock was at a young age of 11. I even bought a real estate stock at 14. This is what made me successful. Taking leaps, even small leaps, can show a brighter side at the end. I am living proof that taking the leap could lead to a better life.