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Even Better Than A 3 Hour Tour

February 4, 2013 by 48 Comments
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“A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while

But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step

I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died”
American Pie- Don McLean

You Put The Bullet In Your Dreams sounds like it might be a sad story but it really isn’t. Rather it is a collection of moments that led to the place where I am now and that is something, warm, happy and magnificent.

We often write about how life is a journey and why we should do our best to be present on the moments and not solely focused upon the destination. Sometimes I read those posts and wonder how much manure the writer swallowed before they regurgitated the very words I am reading on screen and other times I can’t pull my eyes away because they have filled the page with truth.

It is the truth that I want to share with whomever reads my words because of the connection I feel and the way it resonates with me.

“Let your mind go and your body will follow.”
LA Story

Two or three days after I wrote the “dream’ post I interviewed for the position that led me to leave home and though the position wasn’t offered to me during that interview I had a strong feeling it would be.

Somewhere during those days there was a moment of clarity when I realized that had it not been for those experiences I shared I never would have found this opportunity and if by some chance I had, well I would have passed upon it.

I wouldn’t have recognized why this one moment in time could be so very important and life changing. I wouldn’t have seen the opportunity to take a chance to do the thing that I love to do in for pay in a place where it could work like no other.

It took a bit of time for it to sink in and for me not to let fear of change and concern about what makes the most sense to derail things.

Risk is Important and Necessary

Risk is important and necessary. If you never stretch you never find out what you are capable of and you never get the chance to truly grab the brass ring.  You just ride your pony in never ending circles.

Fear masked as “logic” almost made me say no. I came up with a dozen reasons why it couldn’t work and why I shouldn’t try. That was fear of failure speaking. That was the small whisper in the back of my mind saying “maybe you aren’t as good as you think you are.”

I fought that feeling and made a mental list of accomplishments and reasons that proved I could do it and wondered what would happen if I am better than I think I am. I asked if I could say that with humility and the answer came back yes.

Take A Chance On Me

It sounds cheesy but in the midst of all this thinking I heard Abba sing “Take a Chance on Me” and I thought about how often we are good to others but less forgiving of ourselves. It wasn’t exactly in line with the meaning of the song but I took it as a sign to trust myself and really go after this moment.

And now it is the night before my first day and I am feeling a mix of confidence and nerves. I won’t be able to find my groove until I start the daily component and find out what life is going to be like so I am anxious to begin.

It feels a lot like the last night of summer break before the semester begins at the new school and I don’t know any of my classmates. Unlike my school days I made a point to pick out my suit and tie tonight and have them ready and waiting.

I am going to do my best to show them what I have got and hope it is a lot more like the professor than Gilligan. Time to see if I can make those people dance.

Linking up again with Yeah Write.

challenge94 Even Better Than A 3 Hour Tour

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Comments

  1. Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom says:
    February 7, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    Music is such a powerful metaphor for life. I feel like I’ve always got a soundtrack kicking around my brain. Good luck on your new journey Professor! ;)
    Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom recently posted..There’s a Fine Line Between Clever and CupidMy Profile
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  2. Natalie the Singingfool says:
    February 7, 2013 at 11:40 am

    Living to the ripe old age of 30, I now can say from experience I’d rather risk and lose than live with regret. Regret eats away at your soul.
    Natalie the Singingfool recently posted..My Date with ChanelMy Profile

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  3. Kathleen says:
    February 7, 2013 at 6:53 am

    I’m a little late to the party here, but congratulations! I hope your first day was very professor-like and not at all Gilligan.

    Thanks for the awesome earworm too.
    Kathleen recently posted..Class of 2017My Profile

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  4. My Half Assed Life says:
    February 6, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    I started a new job not to long ago so I really get that anxiety you feel. I remember waiting for that first day and just wishing it would be over and done with.
    My Half Assed Life recently posted..Homosexuality. You Are Or You Aren’t, It’s That SimpleMy Profile

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  5. Dana says:
    February 6, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Very true words you speak. Isn’t it great how music can so perfectly illustrate what is on our minds?
    Dana recently posted..BoomerangMy Profile

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  6. Stacie says:
    February 6, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Good luck Jack! I love how ABBA popped into your head ;)
    Stacie recently posted..The SilenceMy Profile
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  7. Tim Bonner says:
    February 6, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    This must be your second day now so I hope it’s going well.

    Keeping us guessing as to what it is you’re up to! :-)
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  8. Larks ( from LarksNotesThis) says:
    February 6, 2013 at 10:24 am

    I hope your first day is going well! Knowing what we want and giving ourselves permission to take risks is a challenge in and of itself. I’m glad you didn’t give in to the fear.
    Larks ( recently posted..Here’s the hard truth, kid.My Profile
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  9. christina says:
    February 6, 2013 at 10:12 am

    i really hate how crippling fear can be.
    congrats!!
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  10. IASoupMama says:
    February 6, 2013 at 9:56 am

    I’m so glad that you could see your fear for what it was. I always come out of interviews thinking “Take a Chance on Me,” too! Someday, someone will take a chance on me and then I’ll get to show the world all of the great things I know I can do!
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  11. Gina says:
    February 6, 2013 at 6:53 am

    By now you’re into your second week. I hope you really like it. I always love that music intertwines with your words/thoughts and I like the songs that you choose. I believe the same about risk.
    Gina recently posted..Trifecta: Bobby and TonyMy Profile

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  12. Michelle Longo says:
    February 6, 2013 at 4:42 am

    Hope your first day was great and thank you for some inspiration that I really needed this morning.
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  13. erin graves says:
    February 6, 2013 at 4:09 am

    “I thought about how often we are good to others but less forgiving of ourselves.” Great quote — this is something I often think about and quite truthfully struggle with — why can we never show ourselves the small measure of kindness that extend to others?

    Good luck with the new job!
    erin graves recently posted..For the Love of WordsMy Profile

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    • Jack says:
      February 6, 2013 at 5:18 pm

      Hi Erin,

      I suspect quite a few of us are our own worst enemies. We look at situations and think about what we could or should have done and then beat ourselves up when we fall short.

      Thanks for the good wishes, I appreciate it. Two days down,third day tomorrow. :)
      Jack recently posted..The Story I Want To TellMy Profile (dofollow)
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  14. TriGirl says:
    February 5, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    “Fear masked as logic” resonated for me too. I hope we get to find out what you are going to do soon!! Sounds really exciting!
    TriGirl recently posted..Pre-Run Calisthenics are Pretty DynamicMy Profile
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  15. gem says:
    February 5, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Break a leg (figurstively),
    gem recently posted..First LoveMy Profile
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  16. Bill Dorman says:
    February 5, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Knock it out of the park; swing away Merrill…..
    Bill Dorman recently posted..Without a reader, there are no words…My Profile

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  17. Angela Ryan says:
    February 5, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    I love the line about fear masked as logic. Damn, how true is that! Right on.

    Reply
  18. icescreammama says:
    February 5, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    go get em, tiger.
    icescreammama recently posted..OMG – Feels Like Teen Spirit!My Profile
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  19. bridgetstraub.com says:
    February 5, 2013 at 9:29 am

    You know I wish you the best but all the mystery is driving me nuts. Either you have joined the CIA or you are in the witness protection program. Four states away? Starting the big opportunity but you can’t seem to say what it is. Are you crazy superstitious or what? I really do hope it all works out.
    bridgetstraub.com recently posted..Happiness Tuesday #81My Profile
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  20. Jared Karol says:
    February 5, 2013 at 8:02 am

    “Fear masked as “logic” almost made me say no.” I’m glad you didn’t mask your fear in logic. We often do. How very, very illogical. . .
    Jared Karol recently posted..The Continuing Re-Education of a Privileged White DudeMy Profile
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  21. Dawn Beronilla says:
    February 5, 2013 at 7:21 am

    I wish you the best of luck and happiness with your new adventure!
    Dawn Beronilla recently posted..Decisions, DecisionsMy Profile

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  22. Lori Gosselin says:
    February 5, 2013 at 7:14 am

    Good luck Jack.Seems you are ready for this and have been for some time now!
    :-)
    Lori
    Lori Gosselin recently posted..Where is Your Solid Ground?My Profile

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  23. Stan Faryna says:
    February 5, 2013 at 5:51 am

    Do amazing things, Jack.
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  24. Sarah Park says:
    February 5, 2013 at 3:21 am

    No one achieves success without taking a risk. It is better to try than regret in the end. God bless with your gig.
    Sarah Park recently posted..How to Become a Garbage CollectorMy Profile

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  25. winopants says:
    February 4, 2013 at 11:33 pm

    Those “night before” jitters are unbearable to me. I avoid them at all costs. Unfortunately this had led me to miss many opportunities.. good luck with your new gig.
    winopants recently posted..The Adventures of Teddy and Miss TutuMy Profile

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