Ok I know this may be elementary but I will look for a lesson or a message in everything I read, see or hear. It’s becoming more and more habitual. Never stop growing. I know I got stuck a few years back but now growing and learning is my lifeline!
I love a good story and Dr. Seuss, let’s face it, has some really good life lessons.
Have you ever read The Zode In the Road? Truth be told I had never even heard of this book until a few weeks ago. But the story caught my eye…
Did I ever tell you about the young Zode? Who came to a sign at the fork of the road? He looked one way and the other way too – the Zode had to make up his mind what to do. Well, the Zode scratched his head, and his chin, and his pants. And he said to himself, “I’ll be taking a chance. If I go to Place One, that place may be hot So how will I know if I like it or not. On the other hand, though, I’ll feel such a fool If I go to Place Two and find it’s too cool In that case I may catch a chill and turn blue. So Place One may be best and not Place Two. Play safe,” cried the Zode, “I’ll play safe, I’m no dunce. I’ll simply start off to both places at once.” And that’s how the Zode who would not take a chance Went no place at all with a split in his pants.
I think it’s got a great life lesson about the choices we are continuously faced with everyday. Some are big forks in the road and some are major one but every decision we make it can lead us towards to outcomes. Zode unfortunately never made a choice and as you can read above never went anywhere at all. How many times have you just avoided making a decision. I know there are plenty of times in life where the decision feels too big or too scary. But that’s the power of our choices. They could be good ones and they could be bad ones. There’s no way in knowing the outcome when we are standing in front of the fork.
Don’t be the Zode… take the chance in being wrong. You never know it could end up being the right choice down the line. When I look back on my life there were some definite chances I took without having a clue what was in store for me. Perfect example, Charger Girls auditions. At age 18, I had absolutely no clue what would happen if I made it. I took the chance and auditioned. That one choice to go changed the trajectory of my life greatly. I believe had I not taken that chance, my dreams would not be as big and if I’m being honest, I’d probably already been done having kids by now. But that fork in the road took me on a unforgettable journey. Lots of amazing memories and some great friendships. Not to mention I met my hubby while dancing at a game so there’s that too.
When I look back and think what if I never took the chance, where would I be today? I think in life we have defining moments just like the fork in the road that the Zode faced. Sure there are some turns in the road that are unexpected and I think those are the best kinds. I read in a book once that sometimes the unexpected events in our lives are some of the most scenic and beautiful detours on the road. Knowing that making the Charger Girls lead me to where I am today has been a wonderful detour. Even with the divorce and miscarriages and being cut from the Charger Girls, it has been a exhilarating road trip!