When Advertisity Hits
Original Post: http://macromental.blogspot.com/2008/08/when-advertisity-hits.html
Four friends went fishing. They found a perfect campsite in a pine grove next to a river that shimmered with promise. As fast as they could, they set up their big tent, stowed belongings, and set off eagerly down the river with their rods and reels.
When they returned to their campsite a hours later, tired but happy, they stood open-mouthed in disbelief. There was a big empty space where their tent had stood. It was gone! A quick search showed that everything else was still there -- stove, tools, food, sleeping bags, etc. Their stunned confusion soon changed to anger and a storm of questions: Why did someone take the tent and nothing else? Was a tent all the thief needed? Did they interrupt him so he couldn't finish the job? Or would he soon return for more?
Fortunately, they still had their Coleman stove, frying pan, and eating utensils -- all the tools they needed to cook their fish and eat it. And they still had their sleeping bags against the chilly night air. Over dinner and late into the night, they sat around the campfire, debating the significance of the missing tent. At peace at last, they climbed into their sleeping bags, gazing up at stars instead of canvas. Being city people, they rarely got to see stars up close and personal. That night they slept more deeply than they had since they were babies. They had realized that life is inexplicable.
All of us have sudden changes in our life that are the equivalent of having the tent stolen from over our heads. We invest ourselves heavily in a project that fails. We lose a job, become ill or go through a life crisis. But as long as we still have the basics such as courage, faith, friendship, the ability to care and laugh and hope, we still have the tools we need for life.
The thieves of life can't steal our enthusiasm and curiosity, our ability to care and love and be loved.
The moral: Someone will steal your tent every single time! Expect it, and be grateful that you still have the basics. Look up and enjoy the stars like the fishermen did. You may find new joys and opportunities that you never noticed before. In business, you will sometimes have your tent moved. How you react will ultimately determine your success or failure.
- jeteye's blog
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I don't camp, so I can't relate. Critters and bugs don't agree with me. As for the moral of your story, sure, I agree. Sort of like, when you get lemons, makes lemonade.
On the otherhand, there is the belief that each day offers new and different challenges. You are dealt choices, and the ways in which you deal with these challenges/choices not only determines the outcomes, but defines who you are.
OK, then you need to go to a holodeck or use your imagination about camping. Still, I think you get the gist.
Of course I do. I was trying to be funny (obviously missed the mark). But what's a holodeck?
I holodeck is a virtual reality machine that was used on the USS Enterprise in Star Trek - The Next Generation. FYI BTW, I as trying to be funny back at you. ;-)
Considering my morning so far, all humor is welcome, even if I didn't "get it." I used to watch Star Trek, but wasn't a trekkie. I was simply interested in the plots. At one point in the early years, I guess I was into the women of Star Trek, but the pickin's were pretty slim :)
Adversity, as illustrated in the story, can provide some interesting new opportunities. Taking a step back, looking at the stars that they forgot where there, is like taking a step back from our busy daily grinds, to see the bigger picture and what life's really about. Looking at the forest instead of a tree, for example.
For positive-minded people, adversity (especially relating to work and careers) can offer challenges and sometimes interesting opportunities, resulting in professional growth and continued success. However if you are more negatively-inclined, adversity will always be seen as a bad thing; sure, sometimes it really is, other times there can be some kind of positive outcome.
We all face adversity and challenges, often on a daily basis. The question is how you make the choices that are necessary. Adversity is not always bad, you are right. That's why challenges may be a more accurate description.
Some people will leap into the lurch, others will step back to assess the situation before acting. Personally, I prefer to take a deep breath before knee jerking into a reaction.
Just to nitpick, by definition you don't knee jerk then -- otherwise you wouldn't have time to take that deep breath.
Not a nitpick at all Matt. I sometimes forget to write everything that I am thinking. The point is obvious...you nit warranted. If you knee jerk, by definition, you are not thinking. If you take the time to breath, you will not jerk (your knee).