“One hour of life,
crowded to the full with glorious action,
and filled with noble risks,
is worth whole years of
those mean observances of paltry decorum.”
~ Sir Walter Scott
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I used to be afraid to move.
To make waves.
To (for heaven’s sake) upset the balance.
Even though mine was out of whack.
No, it was far better to stay safe… compliant… pleasant.
Rather than to risk…
What?
A difference of opinion? Anger? Confronting my own ego?
Humility is a good thing — as long as it doesn’t mean being humiliated. Serving others is a good thing — as long as it serves a higher purpose. Self-deprecation is a good thing — as long as it doesn’t mean eradicating self.
I once told my Calculus teacher (after being late to his class for the umpteenth time), “Better late than never.”
He replied, “Better never late…”
Wise words from a noble man.
I’ve never forgotten them.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There’s nothing wrong with being you.
Correction.
There’s nothing wrong with YOU.
(Or me…)
Sometimes you just have to grow into yourself.
Shift gears.
Take action.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
She stared at the open road in front of her (and the ten-speed shifter in her hand.) How in the world did God expect her to make it out of the yard… let alone through Chicago? (Pre-”I-pass” days, when every toll booth was a required stop.)
Will my mirrors be too close to the booth? Will I be able to merge back into traffic without dogging gears?
Ahhh, yes.
Closeness and merging.
Isn’t that what life is all about?
We’ve either been somewhere or we’re going somewhere. (Standing still isn’t an option.)
But… how close will we allow ourselves to get?
And, how successfully will we merge?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s: don’t stop!
When you put your dreams on hold, you put yourself on hold.
Make tire tracks or foot prints…
And keep moving forward.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Head for the open road, even if it’s an unfamiliar one.
Life’s too short to stand still.
Whatever you do, be yourself — and don’t be late.
Enjoying another fork in the road,
~ Kim
Truer words have never been spoken! Good luck on your ‘fork journey’, I know you will end where you should end :)
By: Heather / basilmomma on May 29, 2012
at 7:27 pm
Thank you, Heather! xo!
By: Kimby on May 30, 2012
at 4:22 am
Wherever the fork may lead, go w/gusto and don’t look back! Great post! xo Ally
By: Ally Phillips (@allyskitchen) on May 29, 2012
at 9:33 pm
I like the word “gusto,” Ally. :) Yup. Gusto is good!
By: Kimby on May 30, 2012
at 4:23 am
I really needed this today. Thanks!
By: Shary Hover on May 29, 2012
at 11:23 pm
Oh Shary, I’m so glad it touched you. Sometimes I feel like I’m writing to myself (lol), but your comment reminded me that words have the power to inspire. Thank you.
By: Kimby on May 30, 2012
at 4:25 am
I’ve always have this ‘Better never late’ motto instilled in me & have the habit of arriving at least 15 mins earlier for an appt. Wish I could pass this on to my son…… Perhaps it’s a teenage or guy’s thingy, he always like to dilly-dally :<
Life's is short, indeed! Enjoy the most out of it. Kimby, I notice u don't visit as often as before. I've received emails from some readers that for some reasons, my blog posts stopped going into their mailbox. Just wondering if u've the same problem. I've just changed my subscription widget. U may like to resubscribe again if u encounter such problem. Thks, dear!
By: Blackswan on May 29, 2012
at 11:50 pm
Shirley, I should have mentioned I was late to math class because of a conflict with musicology class — so many things to do, so little time… ha! I admire your “ahead-of-time” attitude though. I’m getting better at it. :)
This past month, I’ve been shifting gears — not the trucking kind! — transitioning out of my job, etc. You were correct in noticing that my comments have taken a nose dive recently… yikes. (I can hardly wait to be home full-time again!!) Connecting with people is soooo important to me. Thank you so much for caring! xo
By: Kimby on May 30, 2012
at 4:42 am
Job transition? What’s the nature of your job now? Full-time writer? Gosh, u write fantastically well. All the best to your new career :)
By: Blackswan on May 30, 2012
at 5:58 am
I second all your amazing ideas my friend – thank you for sharing :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on May 30, 2012
at 12:36 am
Choc Chip Uru, I get the impression you’re already an excellent time manager from the multitude of activities you fit into 24 hours! Just be sure to take time now and then to stop and smell the cookies… :)
By: Kimby on May 30, 2012
at 4:47 am
Nice inspiration in this one. I think that sometimes following the dream involves too much of a risk. However, then we are stuck with the thought of what might have been.
By: Tina@flourtrader on May 30, 2012
at 6:00 am
So true, Tina! (Although I figure “wherever I am” is where I’m supposed to be at the moment — with no regrets!) Balancing risks and dreams is a process and one that I embrace. :)
By: Kimby on June 1, 2012
at 8:59 am
Sweet Sister–we’ve connected (again!) across the miles. Your insight mirrors, almost identically, my thoughts at this intersection in my life. I love you ever so much!!!
By: Laurie Fredrickson on May 30, 2012
at 9:26 am
Yay, Laurie! Sounds like you’re “on the move,” too! Love you. xo!
By: Kimby on June 1, 2012
at 9:01 am
Loving your thoughts, sweet Kim . . .
By: Jenna on May 30, 2012
at 9:32 am
And yours, Jenna… Thank you!
By: Kimby on June 1, 2012
at 9:02 am
Proud of you for taking the fork even if it scares you and wish you much happiness and success! And thanks for telling us about the WordAds program–I applied and was accepted! I wouldn’t have considered it before your positive words–ads are the devil to me-LOL! But maybe I’ll be able to make a few cents while I’m having fun-nothing wrong with that. :)
By: Veronica on May 31, 2012
at 12:00 am
Hooray, Veronica! I agree, there’s nothing wrong with that! Glad you followed up with it and glad to be of service. :)
By: Kimby on June 1, 2012
at 9:05 am
Outstanding post. I think we all sometimes fall into the traps that society lays out for us and we forget the big picture…and forget ourselves. It’s nice to see somebody slow down and think about self-worth and how to make the most out of what we’ve been given :)
By: Parsley Sage on June 1, 2012
at 8:49 am
Many thanks, Parsley Sage… I loved how you put that!
By: Kimby on June 1, 2012
at 9:06 am
Oh, how timely. I feel like I’m growing into myself right now. I didn’t realize that there was a Year 27 growth spurt, but hey, I will take it :)
By: Elizabeth on June 2, 2012
at 7:23 am
Smiling about your growth spurt, Elizabeth! From the sounds of it, there’s a lot of that going around. :) I love it when changes equal surprises!
By: Kimby on June 2, 2012
at 3:41 pm
I love the imagery in this post and all that your words evoke in me.I love the way you dance in and out of beautiful food, poetry, prose and stunning photography. Keep splashing us with your many talents, Kim!
By: Sue Ann Gleason on June 4, 2012
at 8:37 pm
Sue Ann, if writing from the heart causes a splash, I’m IN, feet first, dancing all the way. :) Thank you for your encouragement, now and always!
By: Kimby on June 4, 2012
at 9:08 pm