Neither by hope nor by fear -- Isabella d'Este (1474-1539), marquessa of Mantua, Italy

These words describe how Isabella d’Este lived her life. She neither hoped that only the best would happen nor lived in fear that the worst would happen. These words struck deeply into my heart when I read them since they seemed to be words of advice ringing down through the ages from Isabella to me. I am standing at a crossroads in my life. I cannot hope that what is best for me will fall into my lap. I must decide what to do and then take steps to ensure that it happens. I cannot live in fear either. In order for my dreams to be fulfilled, I may have to make drastic changes to my life. This is not easy for me since I am most comfortable when my life is a routine. However, the best things in our lives do not happen in the everyday routine, but when we step off the path or turn onto a different road (I’m suddenly thinking of that “left turn at Albuquerque” which always put Bugs Bunny into a unique situation). That change may seem dark and scary at first, but it may just be a smoke screen to try and scare us away. We must not fear. We must not hope for a path clear of stones and thorns either, since that most assuredly means we would encounter boulders and boa-sized vines. We simply must trudge on, knowing our dreams lay just around that frightening bend.