Fly On The Window

"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

I happened upon a story recently on a blog site called "The Rat Race Trap" in which a story is repeated from Price Pritchett (You Squared).

The story goes;

There’s a small fly burning out the last of its short life’s energies in a futile attempt to fly through the glass of the windowpane. The whining wings tell the poignant story of the fly’s strategy – try harder.

But it’s not working.

The frenzied effort offers no hope for survival. Ironically, the struggle is part of the trap. It is impossible for the fly to try hard enough to succeed at breaking through the glass. Nevertheless, this little insect has staked its life on reaching its goal through raw effort and determination.

This fly is doomed. It will die there on the windowsill.

Across the room, ten steps away the door is open. Ten seconds of flying time and this small creature could reach the outside world it seeks. With only a fraction of the effort now being wasted, it could be free of this self-imposed trap. The breakthrough possibility is there. It would be so easy.

Why doesn’t the fly try another approach, something dramatically different? How did it get so locked in on the idea that this particular route, and determined effort, offer the most promise for success? What logic is there in continuing, until death, to seek a breakthrough with ‘more of the same’?

Many of us do this same thing, day in and day out. We pull an idea into our mind; a word, a vision or a dream. We set out on a particular path and find that we are not getting any closer. The struggle to push on has us trying harder and harder with less and less success.

We try with ever increasing futility, wondering why we are getting no where. Maybe the answer is in setting a new path for ourself. It could be that a new direction is required.

When you find yourself hitting the window, stop. Step back and look around to see other possibilities. The wind never blows exclusively in one direction. It changes constantly with variations that can take you new places.

Keep trying, but keep trying new ways.

In A Sea

"I think people are isolated because of the nature of human consciousness, and they like it when they feel the connection between themselves and someone else." ~James Taylor

Here I am on the third full day of EMC World, the yearly technology conference put on by the company I work for. Many of us assist, present and meet with customers to give them more detail on our products and services. This year is no different with a large turn out of people. Roughly 7,000 people roaming the Boston Convention Center.

There is always something new and exciting that happens at an event this large. Sometimes stressful, sometimes exhilarating and sometimes just tiring. But the experience is always enjoyable because of the people.

With such a large crowd of people moving about, you can begin to feel like a small boat out in the middle of a very large ocean. Miles from the shore or miles from anyone you know; it can result in feeling very much alone.

Yet there is an expectation that you just might run into someone you haven't seen in a long time. That familiar face suddenly appearing within the crowd with a smile intended just for you. It can lift even the most weather beaten individual. All at once comfort in this large crowd occurs and you become connected.

Within this large sea of people, there is also opportunity to lift and inspire other people. A chance to do something in their life, to make a connection and not leave them alone out in the vastness of crowd. These people can become new friends, new influence in your life or be pushed to a greater level of greatness.

Conventions can be a workload to some, but to me it is a chance to connect with others. To make a difference, large or small in their life. And it doesn't simply happen at conventions. The ocean is large and vast, so is your life and the influence you carry each day.

Whether it be at EMC World, at your job, in school or at the grocery store; connecting with others can have a significant impact. You can be the one that changes the life of another with a simple smile and hello. Approach each day believing that someone in the crowd is waiting for you. Waiting for you to be that friendly face with a smile just for them. When you do, that large and expansive sea of people will become a little smaller.

To those at EMC World; enjoy the final two days and do not lose this chance to connect with someone new. Change their day and next year at EMC World in Las Vegas, you just might see that familiar face in the crowd smiling back at you.

Don't Stop Believing

"The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When we finally make the decision to begin movement in our life, to finally begin that walk to our dreams; the walk can be a lonely one. The street may be empty and void of others. You hold the dream inside and no one else can see it. The wonderous vision that is yours setting you out on a journey is not always embraced by others.

Think of the movie "Wizard of Oz" in which Dorothy sets out on the yellow brick road.



Her journey begins with many people excited and cheering her on. But the journey is long and very soon she is by herself. You will find yourself alone after the excitement and pumped up enthusiasm wanes. It will become lonely and you will have to overcome the urge to stop.

Eventually, others will join you on this journey. The important thing is to never stop believing in your dreams. Keep moving forward. The following video is by a band from my youth. Somehow we start out young and bold. As age grabs hold of us, we allow it to slow us down and puts doubt inside.



Yes, we did tend to dress and let our hair grow out like that. But like any age, we were young and invincible. Running down the yellow brick road towards our destination. And then we seemed to have lost our way. We let our age and reason get in the way. We lost belief in our dreams and settled for what we had.

But we must never stop believing in those dreams or in what we want in life. We are never too old to give up the excitement of the journey. We are never too old to give up on our dreams. It all starts by putting one foot in front of the other.

The road may narrow and crack, it may be lonely for a while. But the road we take is still a journey to what we want in life. You can follow the road, make your own road or simply fly. Imagination and excitement will guide you to your destination. Just never stop believing.

No More Parking Violations

"The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble." ~Blaise Pascal

A parking violation is a "notice of monetary penalty issued for parking a motor vehicle in a restricted place or for parking in an unauthorized manner." A ticket is also issued for parking longer than the maximum time. There are reasons we may want to park longer then others feel necessary. But a time comes when we need to get back in the car and move on.

We all understand that when your life is cruising along, at various times we need to just pull over and park. We slow down and find an open meter to park for a short amount time. The time is used to reflect and rest. We are looking for that something which recharges our thoughts and energy. It is a way of refocusing on life.

It then becomes necessary to put the key back into the ignition. You turn the key to start the engine, place the car in drive and pull back out.

We have to get back into the stream of life and move on. Remaining parked will never get you to your destination.

I have seen so many talented people become fixated with stillness. They each had their own reasons. Some had fear of trying anything knew. Others liked the comfort of nothing. Yet each of them wanted more in life. Each of them had the ability within them like you and me.

They were each holding themself back. Having parked their car for so long, they had misplaced or lost the key for the ignition. The parking violations of excuses piled so high that it added to the burden which was used as an excuse not to move anymore.

What these people needed was a locksmith to help them find that key. All these people needed a paper shredder to help them rid the excuses. All these people needed was encouragement to place life back into DRIVE and move on.

We each have the ability to eliminate the 'parking violations' from our life. We each have the ability to help another to do the same. It may seem like a crowded road once we get back out there. The movement might be slow at first or at times. But even the smallest of movement creates distance from where you were to where you want to be. That movement will take you to a place that is on your destination list.

Open up that parking spot for someone else. Get your your life back on the road. And no more parking violations.