It has been approximately two years since I purchased this domain and tried to start a blog. As tech savvy as I thought I was, you know, because I took Computer Applications in high school (circa 1999/2000) and a one-hundred-level computer course in college, I assumed I could figure it out. I thought I did great….my card went through. I mean, this is America, throw some money at it and the problem should go away right? It didn’t. Basically, I bought the domain and (again) assumed it would be like other social media giants where I could just click and write. Nope. Confusion. Frustration. I gave up and focused on my job.
At the time, I was working for a major poultry supplier and my job was demanding. Very odd hours that changed from week to week and a program that was difficult to execute. I prided myself as a leader and a person that if you ask me to do something, I will not only accomplish the task, but I will exceed your expectations. That was my identity. This is who I see in the mirror. The ask, however, was too much. I was sacrificing quality work for quantitive work. I hated it. I felt like I lived on the precipice of failure. Constantly. I refused to quit. I pushed forward. I worked my ass off. The company, recently, made some massive cuts. I was part of the cut. As scary and as shocking as that was, it was an opportunity for change. An opportunity for a new perspective. An opportunity to stop, look around, and see if there is a different road/route/trajectory I can take. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.” Well Mr. Ben, I am heeding your advice. I made a decision to view my situation, not as handcuffs, or fear, or resentment, anger (although I did go through a little bit of that), or depression; rather, an opportunity. To launch my blog. To write these exact words you are reading now. Two years, I did it. [Note – I have absolutely NO IDEA (at this current moment) if this will publish/launch, but I am pushing forward; No quit].
That’s the theme. Life. Shit happens. Life will always fling it like an angry caged up P. troglodyte (commonly known as chimpanzee) at the zoo. Wham! Shit in the face. As philosophers and motivational speakers suggest, it is how you RESPOND that matters. It’s whether or not you brush it off and keep moving, recognizing the fact that YOU are not the one in the cage. YOU are free to do as you please. If you were the chimpanzee, you would probably throw some shit too. Am I mad that I got blindsided by 40mph E.Coli? You bet I am. But it will only be for a moment. A very brief moment. You see, the more we dwell on the negative, the more it consumes us. According to psychologists, recalling negative emotions about how embarrassed you felt or how traumatic a situation was will lead to emotional distress, depression, and anxiety; especially when you don’t let it go.
In other words, make a mental note to be wary around that place in the future, but move on. Push. Forward. If you happen to live, work, and play around a zoo, well, then you are going to have to expect shit. Because that is life too. It’s dark, and scary, and stinky. Sometimes warm. But that could also just be fresh poo. So be wary. Always.
In the end; however, the coldcocking bowel movement doesn’t negate all the fun leading up to the zoo and the exhibits that happened before. Yes, before the David-Blane-Dung-Slap or the Chris-Angel-Manure-Freak accident, amazing things happened! The aquarium happened. The sweet sweet taste of cold lemonade on a hot day happened. Road tripping to great jams happened. Excitement and awe was seen in your eyes and your children’s eyes. Bonding happened when you scared your kids in the snake exhibit. Or your heart got bigger seeing a mama giraffe with a baby. You see, hundreds of amazing things happened before, and many more thousands/millions of good things will happen after life throws shit at you. Decide what you are going to focus on.
That’s life. Find someone willing to support you through the shit, wipe it off for you, and then laugh at you when it’s all over. Whether it be family, your spouse, your kids, or a best friend. You will eventually get hit by life. It’s the ones we love that will get us through it…or this blog maybe?…. Give me a follow, we will get through this shit together. How you ask? By focusing on the amazing things in life, not just the poo.
Love More, Love Louder! – John
