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

When You Inspire Others….

they inspire you…

Inspiration, to increase your desire to continue on the path, is sometimes difficult to come by, even though it is desparately needed.

One of the things that inspired me to become a teacher, is the “oh, I get it” comment that I receive from a student. It inspires me everyday, to continue my teaching career. Each one of is a teacher, maybe not with a credential, but definitely a teacher. Parents, grandparents, neighbors, and even sometimes strangers, can all teach us something. Learning happens often.

But there is a certain magic when you teach. You share a part of you. And someone internalizes your lesson for the rest of their lives. You become immortal in their memory. I still remember my kindergarten teacher, even though she has long passed. I’m sure your remember your kindergarten teacher too. It is true that when you teach, you touch the future.

I am not trying to convince you to become a teacher, but I would like to inspire you to teach others about what you know. It’ll surprise you what you learn.

photo credit: Kalexanderson via photopin cc

Have You Read A Good Book Lately?

Inspiration comes in many different forms. I often look around me, talk to people, and watch others to receive inspiration and appreciation of the amazing things around me. One thing I noticed is how many people read. Not paper books as much, but their electronic books. All around are people with iPads, e-readers, and phones accessing written material. The amazing thing about ebooks is that they are very inexpensive. Most under $5, many 99 cents, and even more free. I have seen books that are less than 25 pages, full of information that is informative, fun, or provacative. I would like to inspire you to not only read an ebook, but write one too! It is easy to jot ideas down about what you do in your life; a hobby, sport, club, outing, or events. You would be amazed on how many people would like to read about what you do, and get inspired.
I have written an ebook about how to help children learn math, reading and writing, with activities that are free (or less than $1). My series of books is called “25WaysTutor”, in them are ideas that parents and caretakers can play simple games that make a big impact on learning. Please follow my blog, and you will receive ideas to help your children. I have made a special page that you will be able to access information and eventually purchase my ebook. So stay tuned….

Inspiration….When You Least Expect It!

We all have had times when we needed inspiration for a project or a task and couldn’t find any ideas within. The search would be on; through internet, books, magazines, or talking to family, friends and collegues. As time moved along, we would get more frustrated that we haven’t found inspiration, or ideas to move our project forward….sometimes, often times, unfortunately, we would give up.
…but every once in awhile, inspiration is staring at us in the face. When we least expect it…if we are open to it, we will be ready to recognize an idea that will help us accomplish our next task.
There are many stories of events that change peoples lives. Often called “opportunity knocking”, you need to open the door. My husband and I made the choice of me quiting my job, to raising our two young children, but I needed to find a job that would allow me to stay at home during the day, and work at night and weekends when my husband could be home with the children. I searched many places for employment, but nothing seemed to fit the time or salary we needed. Then my car broke down, and it was taken to a shop, where I had several hours of freetime before they were able to repair it. I decided to take a walk down the street to the local fast food stand. On my way, there was a little real estate office that I had driven by and seen many times before (because it was a donut shop-turned real estate office). It was usually closed, but on this day, it was open. I decided to stop in, and there behind the desk was a young man about the age of 18. Clearly he was not a real estate agent, so I began to inquire of whom I should speak to, to get a job there. Happened to be that he was the broker’s son, and the broker asked him to answer the phones for a few hours while they were in town. He directed me to his father’s other office by giving me his phone number. As I walked out, I realized that I loved the real estate business, and had taken a real estate class 10 years earlier “just for fun” that would help me move forward with a real estate career. To make a long story long….just kidding….short, I followed through with this unexpected opportunity and had a pretty nice career as a Realtor for 3 years. As my children grew up, I wanted to have the same school schedule they had, and I went back into education. But for those three years, I had enough money and a schedule that worked out with my new young family. An opportunity of inspiration, that I least expected.