Whoever said taking risks and being confident couldn’t possibly get you somewhere?

I mean, okay yes, that is the case for certain situations and sometimes the same move works on some people and completely misses others. I think it just has to do with if the universe wants it to work out or not. As many might already know, I am a huge believer in the messages that the universe chooses to deliver.

I mean, if you actually sit down and think about it, it makes a lot of sense especially in the sense that “everything happens for a reason” and those reasons we might not know until life is seemingly starting to work out or even show a tiny inkling that it could be getting better.

What do I mean? Well, take my life for example. I’m a Leo, a supposedly “natural born leader," yet I’m the shyest person I know. But once you get to know me, I open up more, but the first impression people have is that I’m quiet, shy and nice. I’m only “nice” because I’m quiet which is okay, I guess? I’m not quite sure I haven’t made that decision on whether or not it’s a good thing or not.

But anyway, Leos are supposed to be strong, outgoing, courageous, independent, ambitious, loyal and wild all at the same time; at least that’s what Google says when you search “characteristics of a Leo,” that’s like the top result or whatever, but that is absolutely not what I am, at all. Sometimes I wonder if I was actually born on August 19 instead of August 17, if I’d be a Virgo or whatever, but no, I’d still be born six or so days before the switch.

However, most times I do indeed fit the characteristics of a Leo. I can definitely be strong, loyal, ambitious and courageous (but only when I really, really want something). Ever since I started to actually believe in myself and take a chance, I’ve felt self-confidence flowing through me and I’ve done crazy things that I would probably never be able to do in a million years. Granted, they’re not super crazy things; I didn’t go skinny dipping or anything.

I messaged the guy I liked and asked to hang out, and this I had accomplished twice. The first time I did this was last summer and that didn’t end up working out; I was left on "read." He was a rude, snobby prick anyway and not a really good person. The second time I did it was pretty recent and let’s just say we’re talking again, after being on and off with speaking to each other. I don’t want to say too much into it just in case it ends again.

In the case of relationships, I think it just depends on who the person is and if they actually have an interest in you and didn’t try and lead you on. But when it comes to doing things you’d never do, I’d honestly say do it. I know it’s really cliché to say "YOLO," but really, just do it.

You don’t want to look back and think, “Oh man, if I tried bungee jumping off a cliff when I had that chance last summer, I wouldn’t be afraid of heights right now," for example. You would want to be happy with the fact that you just went with it and tried something new. Life can’t really be lived without taking some risks, and I know a lot of people who feel the same way - especially if you don't want to look back and regret not saying or doing the things you wish you would've said or done.

With all that being said, I challenge whoever reads this article to take that risk you’ve been wanting to do for a while and just do it! You’ll feel better about yourself (hopefully). Summer 2018 will be filled with risks, I just know it.