As I find myself in the midst of change, embarking on a new mission, reacting to what life throws my way and seeing where it takes me, I am ever so reminded of a lesson I learned many years ago. This lesson has been an integral part in shaping the person that I am and has helped in guiding me down the path that has led me to where I am today. As with most things in my life, it was a lesson that I learned the hard way, but I am forever grateful for the lesson learned.
Many years ago, while working as a network engineer for a company in Orange County, I received a book at a company seminar that I didn't pay much attention to and it was promptly deposited to my bookshelf where it would sit for some time. I was always drawn to it because of its peculiar title, "Who Moved My Cheese?", but at the time I was more into fiction books like Grisham, Sheldon, Crichton et al. Finally one day I decided to pick it up, see what it was about, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
At the time, I was going through another whirlwind of changes, my job, my friends, where I was living, what I was doing! I, again, felt defeated and wondered when things would work out right! I had worked so hard, done so well in school, excelled in my field, but nothing came of it! No respect, no pay, nothing but a bunch of idiots disguised as my bosses who had no clue as to the value of my work. How could this be happening again! I work hard, I'm so nice to everyone, I get along, I excel, I don't get it...and, for so many years, I beat myself up about it.
The story in this book is quite simple, but it's meaning can be interpreted and applied in so many ways. It is a story of 4 mice that go to the same place for their cheese everyday. But one day, the cheese was gone! 2 of the mice immediately split, off to find more cheese. The other 2 mice, Hem and Haw, well, they stuck around, just expecting that the cheese was there once before, it will come again. They waited and waited and the cheese never came all the while the other 2 mice were long since gone on their merry way to find more cheese! (Super short version, read the book! It's not much longer ;-P)
I realized that I had put my focus in the wrong direction, seeing things in a different light. The moral of this story is that there is nothing to gain from staying complacent, avoiding change, and expecting a different result. I had inadvertently been pretty good about the change part, changing my life every 2 years or so, but what I didn't see was all the lemonade that could have been made from the lemons I faced. I realized at that point that without everything that had happened to me, I would not have had the valuable lessons with which I gained strength and wisdom. I would not be the person that I am today without the strength that I gained and the wisdom that I earned through those troubled times. I realized that it was ok if I fell on my face, it was what I learned that made me stronger. I could take the good from the bad and actually be grateful for what I had been through. Without it, what would I have to draw from? What lessons could I have possibly learned if I just stayed where I thought it was safe? None! None!, is the resounding answer!
Yet, I find that so many people have a hard time adjusting to change. They would rather be miserable in their situation because for some reason they feel safe. But it is not the safe option at all. If there is only strength and wisdom to be gained, what is there to be afraid of? The point IS that their is NOTHING to be afraid of! If you keep your focus in the right direction, and allow yourself to be guided down your own path, you have no where to go but up! Because it is about what you learn in the process, and as they say KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, and with that power you gain strength, and with utter strength and determination, you WILL gain the most valuable wisdom of all, YOU, your true self, and what you are truly made of, with all your hopes and dreams in YOUR hands.
Shown here is the book and a few others I found truly inspiring.
It's so amazing to finally get a peek inside your brilliant and beautiful mind and see what drives you and insprires you. You're a really unique woman with a lot to offer in every way, and I'm glad you're not letting people who are beneath you in the first place get you down. My life was never worse than it was just before everything went suddenly right, so definitely stay positive. You're going to have a beautiful future. xoxo
ReplyDeleteIf you only do what you've only done, you'll only get what you've always got. And another thought for the day... The only true certainty in life (apart from death and taxes) is change. On this subject I'd like to share a book I've just discovered called 'The Secret' by Rhonda Byrne. It teaches you how to have, be, or do anything you want. The world's greatest minds have known the secret, I hope you'll be inspired by it.
ReplyDeleteps. I love the 'making lemonade from lemons' analogy - I'll hold on to that thought.
This was a very interesting read. It made me think about my life. You're a very insightful person Ms. Ryan. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteYou won't believe how (or why) I found this blog of yours but you are without a doubt one of my favourite people on this planet. Thanks to people like you my mind continues to expand.
ReplyDeleteMotivated all the more.
;)
Ella.
Umm...WOW. Finally! Somebody that gets it! Lol I love this post, because I am from the midwest and for whatever reason (maybe just that it's the midwest...) it seems that everyone around here is so stuck on settling for things that don't even make them happy. Apparently it's a comfortable alternative to change...I have another opinion, but to each their own, I guess! Moving to LA next year...change is good :o) Love the post, love the you, and love the picture of your cats down below, baha :D so cute! :o)
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