How do you respond to a sign like this? "Danger High Surf".

Do you stop dead, turn on your heels and run the other way? To you get intrigued the charge forward to see the high surf? Do you stand by the sign pondering what you should do until it is too late to make any decision?

How you respond to a sign like this is likely how you will respond to change in your life.

There is much to be said about prudently exercising caution. Surely no one would have put that sign there if there wasn't any danger? Maybe the sign was left up too long by mistake? Maybe it was put there by an ultraconservative person? Maybe running it the other direction might not be a bad idea?

This was taken when I was in paradise: the big island of Hawaii. You will see that beyond the sign pristine white sand surrounding rugged volcanic rock, with a grove of palm trees framing the Pacific ocean just beyond. Inviting, isn't it? The beach beacons.

What did I do? I did stop, I did hesitate, then I carefully followed the white sandy path to the shore. It was beyond me to miss the opportunity of the promise of high waves that the little man on the sign was tumbling off the brink of -- it looked dangerous but fun. However, I did not find the ferocious man-eating waves that were promised -- only the steady drum of strong currents lapping the shore. Had I not gone beyond, I would never have known what I would have, could have, should have seen. I'm glad I went forward, I'm glad I broke out of my comfort zone putting the onus on someone else to tell me how to proceed.

The words change and charge are only one letter apart. I took charge of my life (I told my husband and son I was going to see what was there and they could make their own decision to follow or not).

Charge forward, making change, no regrets.

Warmly, Roxanne, Chief Serenity Officer