A new chapter has begun...
As I sat intently in church today, with my fresh cut, chiseled sideburns, a suit that accentuated everything about me, and tons of swagger, the preacher thunderously, emotionally, and ever-so-eloquently belted out words that have stuck in my mind to this very moment. This message was not so much a command but a truth: A new chapter has begun. He began to expound on this wonderful anecdote by claiming you don't have to be stuck in the chapter you are in. It is your choice to stay or move on. To pass Go and collect $200 or stay in Jail and continue rolling the die--just hoping that what you used to do will all of a sudden grant you that opportunity to get out. But he said one more poignant thing: "There are many definitions of insanity, and one of them is to keep doing the same thing while expecting different results." And this is where my story begins...
On our way home from what was undeniably a spirit-filled church service, and after being distracted by some 50-odd year old black woman in Churchs' Chicken who was wearing a see-through black dress-like thingy with a visible thong underneath that made me eruhh...really question what was going through her mind at the time (although I'm sure it has something to do with attention, maybe just maybe-but 50-ish?! All I know is that I don't want to see that), my Dad said what turned out to be one of the most interesting truths on the way home:
"Caution is necessary in fishing and waiting on the Lord, but other times, when it is unnecessary, it tends to cause people to miss out."
If you expand that quote out, you get something that means not unlike the following...
Necessary caution is beneficial, but unnecessary caution is detrimental and destructive.
As I look back at my life, I am hard pressed to find occasions where I didn't go after what I wanted. Sure, I made the effort, but if it did not flow like I wanted it to, it was not due to any lack of action or caution on my part. On the other hand, I can quote many times where people-especially a certain sex-were so concerned with being cautious that they let golden opportunities pass them up. Will they get those chances again, certainly not. And what is worse then looking back and saying, "If only I had" or "I shoulda," "I coulda," or "I woulda." Which just so happens to remind me of Brian McKnight's ballad which is titled "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda." Good stuff, really.
Why must people feel a sense of complacency with so little regard for urgency? That things will always be the same? That the status quo is the way to go? Or that things will be like they want them to be for as long as they want them to be? For instance, that girl is single now, but if you don't step up, she could very well be taken tomorrow by someone who was bold enough to approach her. Sure, he may like you now, but tomorrow he could be gone to some girl who expressed interest in him who refused to play the overly cautious role and take a chance.
But isn't that what life is all about? Taking a chance? Tell me, who knows what tomorrow will bring you? Oh, you say, "I have work tomorrow and I will be there on time." Sure? What if you God forbid, you got into a car accident? Or a severe thunderstorm sprang up with torrential rains that forced you off the road and set you back half an hour? Would you be going to work on time then? You may say, "I will be at my friend's house. I have planned this for over a week now." Sure about that? What if you get a surprise phone call from that employer saying he wants to see you for a second interview for the job you have wanted. Just so happens he wants you to come in at the time you were supposed to meet your friend. Would you be going to your friend's house then? What I am getting at is simple: in life, things happen. Unexpected things do occur. Yes, the worst case scenario does rear its ugly head at times. And yes, the things with a remote possibility do occur. You can't afford to play the cautious role all the time. You can't live in the past and expect the same ol' tried-ass result. Waiting for days and weeks to see if that girl is really into you will end up screwing you over when all it takes is just a few seconds to see if she would like to grab something to eat with you. Simple. Done.
The slow and steady may win the race, but the cautious and guarded shall miss out on shortcuts and opportunities and will surely lose in the marathon that is the fleeting and precious gift we call life.
It is time to begin a new chapter. Are you ready to be bold enough to turn the page and welcome what lies ahead?
On our way home from what was undeniably a spirit-filled church service, and after being distracted by some 50-odd year old black woman in Churchs' Chicken who was wearing a see-through black dress-like thingy with a visible thong underneath that made me eruhh...really question what was going through her mind at the time (although I'm sure it has something to do with attention, maybe just maybe-but 50-ish?! All I know is that I don't want to see that), my Dad said what turned out to be one of the most interesting truths on the way home:
"Caution is necessary in fishing and waiting on the Lord, but other times, when it is unnecessary, it tends to cause people to miss out."
If you expand that quote out, you get something that means not unlike the following...
Necessary caution is beneficial, but unnecessary caution is detrimental and destructive.
As I look back at my life, I am hard pressed to find occasions where I didn't go after what I wanted. Sure, I made the effort, but if it did not flow like I wanted it to, it was not due to any lack of action or caution on my part. On the other hand, I can quote many times where people-especially a certain sex-were so concerned with being cautious that they let golden opportunities pass them up. Will they get those chances again, certainly not. And what is worse then looking back and saying, "If only I had" or "I shoulda," "I coulda," or "I woulda." Which just so happens to remind me of Brian McKnight's ballad which is titled "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda." Good stuff, really.
Why must people feel a sense of complacency with so little regard for urgency? That things will always be the same? That the status quo is the way to go? Or that things will be like they want them to be for as long as they want them to be? For instance, that girl is single now, but if you don't step up, she could very well be taken tomorrow by someone who was bold enough to approach her. Sure, he may like you now, but tomorrow he could be gone to some girl who expressed interest in him who refused to play the overly cautious role and take a chance.
But isn't that what life is all about? Taking a chance? Tell me, who knows what tomorrow will bring you? Oh, you say, "I have work tomorrow and I will be there on time." Sure? What if you God forbid, you got into a car accident? Or a severe thunderstorm sprang up with torrential rains that forced you off the road and set you back half an hour? Would you be going to work on time then? You may say, "I will be at my friend's house. I have planned this for over a week now." Sure about that? What if you get a surprise phone call from that employer saying he wants to see you for a second interview for the job you have wanted. Just so happens he wants you to come in at the time you were supposed to meet your friend. Would you be going to your friend's house then? What I am getting at is simple: in life, things happen. Unexpected things do occur. Yes, the worst case scenario does rear its ugly head at times. And yes, the things with a remote possibility do occur. You can't afford to play the cautious role all the time. You can't live in the past and expect the same ol' tried-ass result. Waiting for days and weeks to see if that girl is really into you will end up screwing you over when all it takes is just a few seconds to see if she would like to grab something to eat with you. Simple. Done.
The slow and steady may win the race, but the cautious and guarded shall miss out on shortcuts and opportunities and will surely lose in the marathon that is the fleeting and precious gift we call life.
It is time to begin a new chapter. Are you ready to be bold enough to turn the page and welcome what lies ahead?
posted by TJ Keepin' It Real at
11:18 PM
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