This past week has been one of the most bizarre, surreal experiences of my life. As the world looked on, Hurricane Irma slowly crept her way up through the Caribbean, causing massive destruction (including over 90% of the island of Barbuda), threatening to make a direct hit on my home of St. Petersburg, FL. 

Late in the night on Wednesday September 6th, we decided to evacuate. We weren't sure what was going to happen, but one thing I did know for sure was that the risk of staying was way higher than the cost of us leaving.

Taking leaps is scary. Going after something you want so badly you can't imagine yourself actually getting it is terrifying. 

Going outside your comfort zone sucks.

Even still, there's a lot to be said about stretching yourself that far, about seeing the storm ahead, putting on your raincoat, and riding it out.