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| A little faith is required to head out into the world and just DO |
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Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.
-Samuel Johnson, 1709-84 essayist, biographer and poet
Okay, I’m ready to confess: I embody that quote. I am the epitome of having to make sure I have all the ducks lined up in my favor before I attempt anything.
If I’m going to play a game, I want to play the team with the worst record. If I’m going to strap the snow skis to my feet, there will be no steep mountains, no other skiers in my way, no trees to dodge and the hill I’m headed down will be as flat as a field in northwestern Ohio.
If I’m going to walk into a room of highbrow politicians, I’m going to know every one of them, their backgrounds and have something to ask each of them while dressed appropriately, with flawless hair and makeup.
You see, I don’t want to attempt anything that won’t work. In my world, it has to work and if there is the slightest hint that it might not work, I walk the other way. The problem comes when there is misjudgment.
If I look at a situation or an opportunity and I think it will work, and I move forward and get in the middle of it and realize I’m in way over my head – then I freeze up until I have no other option but to face it. And then, it’s “Game On!”
Marriage, childbirth and teenagers all seem to fall in this category. I wasn’t prepared for the emotional roller coaster of marriage, the pain of childbirth or the spontaneity of teenagers.
I figured my husband would agree with me all the time, drugs would take care of childbirth and I would have all the answers when I got to be a wise old mother of teenagers. In retrospect, misjudgment is probably a good thing.
What woman in her right mind would agree to the pain of childbirth? Or not always winning the argument? Or always supplying smart, complete, satisfactory answers to the life questions of a teenager?
Maybe we all need to leave the ducks in a mess and forge ahead, knowing that on the other side of the chance-taking opportunity there will be a reward greater than we ever thought possible – making those attempt-blocking obstacles look as tiny as mustard seeds.
Maybe all we need is a little faith.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication. |
| 10/27/2010 |
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