The Chicken in the Truck: A Reflection

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Many years ago, my husband and I were driving on the freeway (highway), and we saw several chickens dead on the road. They obviously came out of a semi-truck that was probably on it’s way to the processing plant because they were pure white, (the kind used for eggs and meat).

The discussion of the question continues to this day: Would you rather be the chicken on the truck or the chicken that jumps from the truck? One choice, you surrender to your fate not knowing what will happen but maybe you will live, and the other choice, you try to change your course, not knowing if you will be killed instantly or survive and find freedom and your own choice of future.

I made a big decision last month, and am ready to begin my new path, (in a few weeks). I haven’t thought about this questions for a few years, and it seems everytime I make or am faced with making a big decision or have made a big decision, I think about this question.

Upon reflection I am identifying myself as the chicken who jumps from the truck.  Reflecting on the current path I am on, I don’t like where I am going, soI concluded that I needed to take that “leap of faith” and try for something different.  It maybe worse (in which I will jump again) or it may be better, (inwhich I will stay until it becomes worse then I will jump again). 

I may be viewed as someone who won’t settle….but why do we have to settle?  Why do we tell ourselves, “This is as good as I’m going to get, so what use is trying to change things?”  As long as I am trying to get out, to change my life for the better, to improve my situation, to make a better life for myself, then I know that I haven’t given up.  Some people have made this “leap of faith” in their mind, as did Viktor Frankle wrote about in “Man’s Search for Meaning” about his experiences in Nazi death camp, in Aschwitz, Germany. And others take a physically leap, as did the people escaping the burning buildings of 9/11.  Being the master of your future, regardless of the outcome, is what gives you hope, inspiration, motivation and focus of your life.

Who do you identify with?  The chicken on the truck, or the chicken who escaped?

Please feel free to leave a comment…

photo credit: AlicePopkorn via photopin cc