When I visited my son in Edmond, Oklahoma, I saw an interesting sculpture of a woman leaping from a train. I was intrigued and took a closer look to understand this woman’s story. During the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889, Nannita R.H.”Kentucky” Daisey leapt from the train to claim land and become one of the first women to apply for a land grant in her own name. Her courageous and colorful story made a mark on history.

Taking a leap can be daunting. Perhaps it is to purchase a new home, to start a new career, to begin a new relationship, to learn a new skill or to open a new business venture. Each of these takes a certain amount of risk as well as courage.

I am inspired by stories of women like Evelyn who got her PhD at age 51, Sandi who became a triathlete at 60 and Gail who joined the Peace Corp at 58. Vera Wang started her business at 40. Julia Child didn’t learn to cook until she was 36. Lucille Ball was 40 in the first season of “I Love Lucy.” Tony Morrison didn’t discover her gift of writing until later in life. From ordinary people to famous ones, the list goes on. Women who were brave enough to take a leap made their mark.

I didn’t get to pursue what I thought I wanted to be as a teenager. Regardless of my college degree, I've done as many as 18 different types of jobs in my life. Yet, I’ve been open to taking the leap to learn something new and try a new skill. Over time, more has been revealed about where my passions lie and what my skill sets have to offer.

Young or old. Male or female. The message is the same. It is never too late to take a chance, to learn something new or to find a new passion. One’s age does not define one’s potential. When an opportunity presents itself, it will take courage to leap into it. And the possibilities are endless and the impact immeasurable for those who will leap into the fullness of what they have to offer the world.