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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Skittish Hat Tossing



Standing out in the street and tossing my hat up into the air...watching it spin like a copter blade slicing through the blue sky, momentarily blocking out the omnipresent sun, and then dropping like a dead pigeon at my feet. Thud.

I don’t know what I was hoping for. Perhaps I was channeling Mary Richards from the classic Mary Tyler Moore Show. I can see myself, sporting a carefully planned ensemble of polyester, pleather, and wool, (complete with shiny accessories), feeling brazenly independent, and symbolically tossing my cares back to the gods, ridding myself of inhibition and stagnation.

I could be her; until the director shouts “cut!” and reality smacks me in the face. Then I’d take a big swig of black coffee, shed my New York wardrobe, scratching at all the wooly places because I’m not Little Bo Peep and only sheep and Scottish bag-pipers should wear wool, and head back to my cockroach infested flat with cold water and no heat.

Or perhaps I was giving up, tossing my hat in despair, but I chickened out half way through the toss, because quitting feels like death and I want to live forever. Actually, quitting scares me even more than death.

Then again, I may have been tossing my hat into the ring, challenging life in a no-holds-barred, pure blood and guts competition; although that doesn’t really sound like me. I’m more apt to want to be life’s best friend so she doesn’t get pissed off at me and kick my ass. Whatever it was that inspired me to toss my hat into the sky, it certainly stirred up a lot of thoughts.

For example: lately I’ve been trying to figure out a way of making some big changes in my life. It’s as though I’ve been stacking wood for years and suddenly I’ve realized that the wood on the bottom of the stack needs to be replaced with bricks. Pulling the wood from the bottom will make the entire stack crumble and all those years of stacking will be lost. So, in order to make these big changes I’m going to have to think carefully about how to go about it, take my time, and be willing to lose some of the things that I’ve been leaning on…things that seem paramount to my survival.



So, I guess I was skittishly, but officially, tossing my hat into the ring. Somebody once said, “People don’t usually change until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of changing.” I’m there.




10 comments:

Orea said...

If you need a cheerleader, I'll be one. I think it's great that you are looking at your life and thinking about where to go from here. That's a great start. You are on your way to someplace special. I feel it.

Blessings,
Orea
http://orea-highervoice.blogspot.com/

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Orea the oracle! One can't have too many cheerleaders;) I will hold onto your words as I push ahead.
Peace,
Leah

Anna L. Walls said...

What you do when faced with a big change like that is close your eyes, hold your breath (for a moment) and take the next step. You'll survive. The sun WILL rise again tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. hcg is some amazing stuff.

Leah Griffith said...

I like that Anna. I intend to do it and hopefully not only survive, but thrive. Thanks for your kind words;)

S.K.Delph said...

OK OK..I've been seeing this blog notice...hat tossing and busy as I've been (lol really?) I finally click the link Leah...and I read that you are needing to make humongantic changes? Have I been so neglectful that I haven't noticed any of that???? What did I miss?

Jayne said...

Quitting is worse than death! I agree, Leah. And tossing your hat in the ring is bold and exciting move! I'm with you the whole way, routing you on... I know you're going to succeed making those big changes for which you desire. ;-)

Leah Griffith said...

My Dear Sweet S.K.,
You haven’t missed a thing. The changes I speak of have been looming on the horizon for some time now, blending in with the scenery, and indistinguishable to the naked eye. Thank you for such thoughtfulness…I am steadied and ready. We’ll see.
Hugs,
Leah

Leah Griffith said...

Thanks Jayne, They are bold, but I feel the fruit they produce will be sweet and long lasting. It’s taking the initial leap that scares me the most. I appreciate your routing me on! I can see you on the sidelines jumping and shouting, “Go for it Leah!”

JIM said...

Leah good for you..change can be great if not a little scary lol. I have been in the same position as you and every change turned out great, maybe not at first but they were!!! Good luck I 'll keep a good thought for you



http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/08/photographing-street-photography.html

Leah Griffith said...

Hi Jim, yes it's scary but it will pay off in the end. I just checked your blog and I love your street photography. It's clear that you're not only good at what you do but you love it!

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