Do I go for the Worm or wait for the Cheese?

If we are truly heads-up, we pay avid attention to this shared wisdom on the expectation of a smoother and more productive passage through life. But, what should we really listen to? Who is more credible, what advice is more valid?

Most of my life I’ve heard that the early bird catches the worm. Life is full of opportunity so, get off my butt and go out and grab opportunity for myself and my family. Can’t be too much value in settling for someone’s left-overs, so it makes perfect sense to me.

Now I hearing that the world is full of risks and the first mouse will likely get snagged by that trap. It’s the second mouse that has the luxury and opportunity to flow in behind the first mouse to take the, now readily available cheese. I really don’t need (or even want) to be the first one to Mars, so makes perfect sense to me.

Which one makes perfect sense to you? Do you really want a piece of this?



How this got started...

First off, why am I starting this blog now? It was the week of October 28, 2012 and hurricane Sandy has blown through the east coast cutting off power and flooding many areas. I’m without a radio, TV, internet, lights or heat. I finally managed to charge my laptop but I don’t want to drain the battery mostly playing games.

I’ve got all this pent up energy to vent so I’ve decided finally to actually keep a promise to myself - to express observations that have always puzzled or amazed me. Maybe even find some solutions to the puzzles.

That being said, lets get back to the question, ‘do you want a piece of this?’ To many, this may seem to be a straight forward question, depending on your up-bringing. A simple yes or no response would probably suffice in most instances.

Me, I grew up in the type of neighborhood where this statement meant, ‘let’s get it on.’ You have either the clear choice of jumping back to defend yourself, or rushing in with fists swinging. Never a question of the options.

But, I’ve since migrated through higher education to eventually participate in a more cosmopolitan society. This same question might now be interpreted as a generous offer to be followed by either a polite, ‘no thank you’ or  palms stretched forward with an appreciative smile.

Although the question is addressed to you, it has been my personal challenge to work through the myriad of such mixed signals continually buffeting me. Now, perhaps you can begin to see where the confusion might set in, being influenced by both these worlds. Add to this my genetic code of always having a different drum beat pounding loudly in my head, oblivious to the various melodies surrounding me. It’s kind of like texting while walking.  I find myself, much too often, looking around surprised at the obvious mis-steps thinking, ’is it me or them that’s off beat?’

I often believe that I truly might actually  ‘want a piece of this’ but am continually watchful for the risk of simply being sucked in to something regretful. Do I move forward with a smile, jump back or walk away?

The one item I am very clear about is the value of humor as a tremendous aide in my coping process. It is a challenge for someone to laugh or scream at you if they are busy laughing with you, no guarantee of course. I have actually bumped into people where laughter escapes from them like an unexpected fart in a crowded elevator. They even manage to look surprised or embarrassed by the moment. Only adds to my confusion.

I assure you, by the way, this is going someplace. Just hang in there for this journey we’re taking together.

So, how do I cope. I’m always looking for outside cues to determine the proper flow of things. Much like waiting for someone else to laugh at that joke(?) before I heartily join in. Sometimes it might be easier to resist any temptation of being caught off guard by simply saying, ‘to hoot with the whole thing.’

In my continual quest for clarity and understanding of this puzzling world, I figure what better way than to share my story as a blog. Hopefully you guys will pitch in, where you feel the need, to share your thoughts, comments, questions and experiences. Together, we might determine which way the world is turning (or should be turning :-) and how we might make better use of it.

I strongly ask that your replies consider a few points:

1. your comments are not derogatory or inflammatory, we are here to communicate and not vent
2. they are honest, made-up stuff is a turn off
3. they are hopefully informative and/or constructive, we’ll receive more thoughtful replies this way
4. humor is a big plus if it helps get the message across better
5. feel free to suggest topics we can all learn from, a no-brainer

TOPIC: the Oh-yeah Kid:

Around late elementary into middle-school age I often found myself either watching or being a part of talking trash at an opponent. It was always fun watching and screaming out our collective glee over the rising chatter flowing back-N-forth, until I would find myself on the receiving end. As soon as it was my turn to reply about my apparent ugliness or fatness or stupidness, my sharpest retort was too often, oh yeah, oh-yeah!?!

Needless to say, the crowd would see tons of blood draining from my body and they, along with my opponent turned away totally satiated. Stranded alone, I’d wander off to home spending the entire night reliving my defeat and rehearsing various retorts until I nailed the best responses. Loaded with verbal ammunition, I’d rush back to school looking for my (now) victim from yesterday. It took several episodes for this oh-yeah kid to realize that the moment has long past, not even existing anymore as my classmates are now focused on a new day.

The question is, did I want a piece of these episodes. Did I ultimately gain or lose in my growing years? Your thoughts?