With all the 'trials and tribulations' going on in this world today, many have been turning to a higher power for guidance.  And in daily life, many are striving for their goals and dreams and putting everything on the line based on what they feel (or hope) may happen in the long run.  Is it all worth it?
    I have always wondered about everyone's thoughts on religion and self motivation.  What makes someone......like me for example....drop everything, quit his job, and move 3000 miles away from home with whatever can fit into his Mitsubishi eclipse just to find a NULIFE.    
    What makes someone become a Priest?  (I hope its not for the opportunity to fondle little boys)...  Shoot, thinking outside of religion all together, what makes a person bet $10,000 on the Giants to win, when they only make about $10/hour.
    To me, its seems like we all are looking towards, and hoping for, the best case scenario in everything.  In the case of religion, the long term goal is to go to Heaven when you die.  For the others, the goal is to achieve exactly what you set out to accomplish by seeing and envisioning a positive future/outcome.
    As far as I know, (and I refuse to listen to all the conspiracy theories here), the point of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan is so that in the long term future, they will be free from bad governments and tyrants, and will improve all daily communication and work together with countries like ours to improve the overall financial and physical health of all citizens. So I guess my question is this, who thought of this vision and unknowing outcome?  Who believes that if we continue to fight in these countries, then we will all see these countries as being "friendly" to America after multiple generations and hundreds of years of them hating us and everything we stand for.
    I took my "leap of faith" in real world terms when I moved out to California. But when it comes to religion, I went from being Catholic, to being a Christian, to now just being a person who lives his life the best way he can.  No church, no prayers, just an honest effort to not curse too much and be nice to people.  And as for my personal and professional future goals, I will always see a future where I am rich and basically ruling the world.  (Sorry, thats my New York personality coming through again)
    What are your stories of faith, destiny, hope, and believing in what you can't see?  Does it make life scary, fun, exciting, or what?