Robert, your quote shows the "stuff" from which genius derives. Probably that's why I love reading Middle Zone Musings so much! Robert Hruzek's current "What I Learned from" challenge is to show what we learned from seemingly unrelated things we experienced - which produced something good. I'm ready to give it a good whack!
Heroes and Pets... My husband and I have a pet cat, Ginger. We came by her in mysterious ways because she was a stray. And because we have warm hearts, we began to feed Ginger, and she found a new home in our big old horse barn. Ginger seemed to have several litters of kittens and somehow each time her belly became skinny again the kittens never materialized. But one day, when we happened to have our four grandsons and six other children visiting a most improbable event occurred. On our huge front porch, kids were playing and adults were sitting on benches and chatting. Suddenly, Ginger came over the porch rail and dropped a kitten at the feet of my daughter-in-law, who promptly began to pet it. Evidently Ginger thought that was safe enough so she went away and returned with a second kitten, and finally for a third time...
My grandsons fell in love with Ginger's kittens and their Mom consented they could have all three for pets. So Ginger was a hero since she rescued this set of kittens. We had Ginger neutered and she leads a much happier life now.
Planes and Relatives Since I came to the U.S. when very young, I deeply anticipated a first journey back to Australia, my native land, some 32 years later. I was accompanying my Mother on a trip back to see our family there. We first crossed the Pacific by boat to come to the U.S. and it was such a convenience to return by plane. We stopped in Honolulu at midnight and I can still catch the aroma of frangipani blossoms that filled the air around the airport's open observation deck. The glowing red sun, rising in the sky and reflecting hues on clouds, heightened glow happiness in my heart.But when we arrived in Sydney, air traffic was congested so we circled for quite awhile. I could not believe amazing reconnections which surfaced when I saw the "Coathanger," Sydney Harbor Bridge and the beautiful beaches where I frolicked when young. Time seemed to reverse for me.
Before we knew it, we were in the arms of loving family. It was as if only moments had passed. Though we changed over the years, essential personalities... remain unchanged. The whole journey back, to reconnect with family and with my roots was one of the most incredible adventures in my life. Planes transport us to different worlds in very short periods of time - they open doors to possibility and adventure - and so do families - even more so!
Recreation and Children I've had some real adventures on the golf course and with children, too. The lesson here is to expect the unexpected. That's what makes each so special. I've had both a small alligator and snake cross the fairway in front of me. But one lesson I've learned is not to keep your eye on the ball [gloating about a good shot.] Golfers necessarily move ahead to keep the game progressing at a good pace, so you just don't dawdle after a shot. But once I tried both at the same time with more of an emphasis on watching the ball and I walked right into a tree. Yes! My focus was very sharp, but did me in! What a lesson that was.Children also keep adventure in our lives. We never knew what our youngest son would come up with next. And one day in exasperation, my husband put his hands on his hips, looked down at our four year old son and said, "You're a little pill!" Our son had a very quick wit. As he put his hands on his hips mimicking his Dad, he retorted, "You're an aspirin." So with children you are often surprised that they have such amazing "comebacks," and I'm sure you have some to share, too.
Connections lead to interesting outcomes. Results take you aback when you put together two very different elements - in everyday life or a quick "fix it" to make things easier for your business clients.
To share lessons you've learned be sure to read Robert Hruzek's challenge for May to write on "mashed potatoes" and join the fun!
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