Life Turns on a Dime
As you read this, somewhere a young woman is falling in love. Somewhere a man is thinking of buying a ring. Somewhere else a couple is ending their relationship. Over there a baby draws its first breath and across town an old man draws his last. Somewhere a young soldier has just died for his country. Somewhere else a soldier saves another’s life.
I think about this as I fly over the country. I look down on life happening below me. Houses and buildings with secrets; people in cars not knowing it’s their last drive, driving next to a teen on her first day with a spanking new driver’s license. There’s a young woman on her way to a chance meeting that will end her loneliness. And another on the way to making his dream come true. This one is rushing to a job interview that will help him save his house. Another next to him is going into work to discover they are closing the plant.
Everywhere we look we see people, ordinary people. Underneath that face, that hat, that smile, there’s a life being lived; frustrations being met; decisions being made. Each of us lives in our own little universe, working through our stuff.
When we look at a person who appears successful, or down and out, or “normal” (whatever that is,) we make assumptions that are more related to our own reality than that person’s. Our reality colors our view. Recently a man died in Phoenix. He was homeless and spent most of his time dabbling on the internet at libraries. It turned out he left $4 million to charity. If you looked at him, you might only see his rags. He just made different choices than you and I.
When we think back on our lives we see the patterns. We can see how this decision to take a right turn changed our life forever. That decision to attend a meeting led to a marriage proposal. This decision to skip a meeting lost you an opportunity forever. We can see the whole of the decisions that led us to where we are right now. Yet, in the moment, it’s just another moment, really. Another breath, another turn in the road.
“Life Turns on a Dime.” I always liked that cliché. It’s true. According to the Free Dictionary, it means “to change direction very quickly.”
While this thought is a motivator to pay attention, it is also a source of hope. Nothing stays the same for very long. What looks frightening or hopeless may turn around in a heartbeat. I’ve always said, “if you don’t like the way your life is going, stick around for awhile. It will change!”
Pay more attention to your small decisions. They lead to the big outcomes.
In July 1989, I had several dreams that led me to the decision to go out on my own as a Professional Speaker. I gave 6 weeks notice to my employer, The Shidler Group, and started Pacific Rim Seminars on September 1, 1989. The small decisions leading up to that were years of saying “Yes!” when asked to present to association meetings and church services. People saw me and encouraged me to take this step. In the 20 years since I made that decision, I’ve spoken in front of hundreds of thousands of people in 6 countries. It’s been quite a ride.
It’s exciting to look to the future and wonder what’s around the next bend. I look forward to serving all of you as I celebrate this milestone. Thank you all for being a part of my grand adventure. It’s my hope that I’ve been a part of yours.
Enjoy!
Beth
© 2009 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc.
