Something has changed within me.
Something is not the same.
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game.
Too late for second-guessing.
Too late to go back to sleep.
It s time to trust my instincts,
Close my eyes, and leap.

I'm through accepting limits
cause someone says they're so.
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know

It's time to try
Defying gravity.
I think I'll try defying gravity.
And you can't pull me down.

(from "Wicked", Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz)

From time to time, and far too rarely, an artistic expression crosses my path and I know in an instant that my life is profoundly changed. I can feel my heart shift ever so slightly to make room for the messages I need to embody. This was the case in May 1996 when I saw the cast of Rent perform "Seasons of Love" on the Today Show, and again in July 2002 when the cast of Hairspray performed "You Can't Stop The Beat" on the same program. Last fall, lightning struck a third time when I learned that two of my favorite actors were teaming up for the roles of the witches of Oz -the Good one and the Green one - in the Broadway production of "Wicked". Please forgive me, Margaret Hamilton, for forty years of calling you wicked.

This compelling musical is based on Gregory Maguire's novel, 'The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West', and serves as a prequel-of-sorts to the story we've all known for years. Its plot focuses on the relationship between the two women, who met as college roommates, and why they chose the divergent paths they ended up taking. Act One of Wicked ends with Idina Menzel, the Green One, stating her intention in "Defying Gravity".

The notion of defying gravity has popped up in my life several times in the past few months. Achieving a life's dream during the holidays was one instance. Feeling doubtful before remembering an accomplished 'I can't ever do that' struck me a time or two. Most recently, my friend, Tanya, reflected over coffee that her intention for 2004 was to wake up every morning, ask herself what she was afraid of doing, then taking a step toward accomplishing it. I was awed by my friend s awareness and courage, and left our get-together feeling inspired and empowered.

I can think of at least three rewards for taking a leap toward the unknown. First, simply acting on our fear releases us from self doubt.

Even if we don t defy gravity and fall flat on our faces our worst-case scenarios are often worse than the actual experiences of defeat. Second, we feel a sense of satisfaction for having achieved what we set out to do. It provides us with a greater sense of self, and builds our esteem.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the experience serves as a personal springboard to take another risk, then another. We tell ourselves, If I tackled this, I could certainly handle that! What freedom and power we give ourselves by taking leaps (or even baby steps) toward our dreams. Either way, we are winners!

What obstacle are you prepared to challenge? What fear are you ready to overcome, and leave behind? What dream are you ready to realize? You too, can defy gravity whenever you're ready.

For more information about Wicked, visit www.wickedthemusical.com.

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Jennifer Snyder is the president of The Time of Your Life, a company that provides self care workshops and personal coaching services to women. She can be reached at 919/414-7197 or visit her website at
www.selfcareforwomen.net.

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