Grab the “Bull” by the Horns (file under “Yes We Can!”

A brilliant orator recently reminded, not just Americans, but all people, yes we can! We can take actions into our own hands to pull ourselves up. It reminds me of a statement that Frederick Douglass (whom you all should know if you don’t already… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass) once made; “Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” And believe me he knew both struggle and progress. His story is truly inspiring and interesting and I entreat all of you to delve a little deeper into his impact on the United States.

Currently I am struggling. Struggling to pay my rent and to feed myself. Never mind buying myself some clothes or anything like that. I am struggling to pay to get to work. And I’m not saying all this in a woe is me kind of way. I merely use it to illustrate the point that when I moved from Reservation to Without Reservation that the move was to give me experience, a little more time in each day and the same if not more money than I made before. Unfortunately, as is often the case only two of the three are true. I have gained valuable experience and work less each week but my pay has consistently (with the exception of one week) LESS than I made before.

True I had to be at work for extended periods of time. True I had to bust my ass. But at least I made enough money to survive. It is with this in mind that I am currently looking at my struggle.

I came up with the breakfast idea at work largely as an act of self preservation. An act which in the process would help revenue at the restaurant. Dutifully, each day, I have risen, showered, gotten on the streetcar and made my way into work. Dutifully, I have opened for breakfast; set the station, made the bacon and sausage, whipped up a Hollandaise and whatever else needed to get done. I did what I had to do as I don’t know how to do anything else. This is where the plot thickens; as I left work today I had an exchange with the owner about my hours. I had already figured out that they were in the process of clawing them back yet again. He said that we were going to start rotating breakfasts. I am all for the spirit and practice of fairness and understand the very real realities of the day that are causing this. However, there comes a time, when the act of self preservation, above all else, is what is necessary.

So I grabbed the bull by the horns and made a few phone calls this afternoon. One exploratory, one with a firm idea in my mind and the other just to see what is up. I am sure that I will have more to report on this subject in the coming days. But for now, I really need to assess my needs and how to fulfill them while maintaining my spirit.

One thing I’ve learned from all this, is that it is very important to stay true to who you are. To be honest about what you need. And to live each day to the fullest. To try each and every day to be better than the day before.

I will keep you posted (pun intended).

Arthur C. Clarke once wrote; “It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.”

Are you dreaming big and inspired? Are you facing your fears, challenges and obstacles?

A la prochaine

SDM