Click Clack. Click Clack. Click Clack. The sound of my blinker was the only thing I could hear as I sat alone at the stoplight. To my left and right I could see far enough down the road to know that no headlights were coming. I was only sitting there because the driving rules say I should and because I’m scared of policemen. I watched as the crosswalk sign counted down to one and then turned to an orange hand. Then the intersection was lit up with yellow and then red. I took my foot off the brake in anticipation of it finally being my turn… but the green light never came.

I’m lying. It did eventually turn green, but in my mind I am metaphorically still watching that crosswalk countdown. I can hear my blinker grow louder in my brain. It was as if everything in that moment was building suspense. I felt like all of creation was telling me, “Here we go, we’re not going straight. We’re changing course, get ready…”

But what if my light never turns green? What if I find myself sitting at a meaningless red light waiting for a signal to tell me it’s ok to make my move? Do I have what it takes to break the rules and accept the reality that no matter what the signs say – I’m  holding the wheel and I truly am responsible for deciding when it’s my turn or not?

Tonight, I sat foolishly at that red light. I made my way home and am sitting here making some click-clack sounds of my own but I can’t get that intersection out of my head. I feel like I missed a chance tonight – like hesitation cost me a chance at an exciting adventure.

Whether it be with a job, with an awkward goodbye in a parking lot, or simply just fessin’ up and admitting when I don’t have a clue…  there are opportunities for boldness. We cannot hide from risk or failure will come find us.