Spinning Those Plates

“There are those of us who are always about to live. We are waiting until things change, until there is more time, until we are less tired, until we get a promotion, until we settle down / until, until, until. It always seems as if there is some major event that must occur in our lives before we begin living.” - George Sheehan

From one of my earlier books titled, Change Lives, it seemed a good day to offer a snippet of the story.

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It was on this particular day he had spent time waiting for the door to open. He always felt good by seeing the light of change shine through the opening. If only for a short time, he was recharged by being so close to possibility but never did he move towards the open door.

Why did he not have the courage to change he asked himself.

A family, home and great job he worked at feverishly. The all consuming job he devoted so much time and energy to. The results of which provided for his family in ways that wouldn't have been possible had he not worked so hard. Everyday he would put in ten to twelve hours, staying ahead of work demands. Slowly earning more and being an integral part of the work place.

As he thought to himself about work, he kept trying to think exactly what it was his family was doing that week. "I have to stay focused," he said to himself in a hushed tone. Too much work to keep up with, have to stay ahead of the curve. Yet something kept nagging him, about his life, about his home and family.

Where had all of the time gone?

As the open door of change closed, the dull fluorescent light of the room returned, he started his way back to the old path. As he walked, a few stones were scattered along the side of the path and an overwhelming feeling of loss began to overcome him. Work weighed heavily upon him but he headed for home. Home, so many unfinished projects greeted him when entering the front door.

The back deck sitting partially completed awaiting those finishing touches. A ceiling joint in need of repair and a broken window to replace were but a few of the items on what seemed a mounting list. Where were his children, his wife and the hum of excitement that he was home. None of them were there. Most days the only excitement they actually had was that he really did come home from work.

Where had all of the time gone?

A list of unfinished projects and even bigger list of failed attention to his family. But work, the work is important he thought. How else could he provide for his family and complete all that needed to be done. Like an old Ed Sullivan Show act of Spinning Plates. The performer kept running from one end to another keeping all of the plates spinning.

His life was like that, always running to keep his life going.

Long days at the office, rushing to get home for a school function or meeting with his wife and friends. Try to get some work done on a home project and do that volunteer stuff at the church. Running and never seeming to get ahead of the wobbling plates. It could his life wasn't all that bad but perception is in the eye of the beholder. Why couldn't people just understand how difficult his life was? Why couldn't people just be more helpful?

He was about to find out just how difficult life was going to become as he walked through his home. This was the beginning of change. Movement was happening and it was pulling him with it.

The plates began to tumble to the floor with a resounding crash.

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What crashes can be repaired, changed into something new and greater.

Just stay inspired my friends!