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| Visit the Historical Juggling Props Museum (Photo by David Cain) |
Sometimes my father would open his juggling act saying, “There are good jugglers and there are lousy jugglers. Tonight you get to see a double feature–a juggler who’s good and lousy.” Though he wasn't the greatest juggler he was pretty darn good. And he was funny which is why his solo act was centered on comedy topped off with some pretty darn good juggling.
My father knew how to apply his talents to at least get by if not excel in whatever he was doing. I've tried to do the same in my life. Looking back on things, I guess I've managed well. I’m not a very good juggler, but I spent years making a living as a professional juggler. Even now I’m always dropping stuff. Perhaps someday I can pick up some of it.
It’s not so much how good you are as much as it is what you do with what you’ve got and the lucky breaks you encounter along life’s way. I've encountered many fortuitous circumstances in my life journey. Hopefully many more lie in wait on the road that lies ahead.
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Hope you'll excuse my rambling. I'm just filling my Monday space with content as I wait for my Battle of the Bands post coming up tomorrow. No song clues in this current post. The clues can be found in my two previous posts.
In any case, please stop by tomorrow to vote on my next Battle.
Are you making do? Are you pretty adept at adapting to new situations? What in your life has flustered you the most?
A portion of this post originally appeared in a comment I left on Loni Townsend's Squirrel Talk.
********************************
Hope you'll excuse my rambling. I'm just filling my Monday space with content as I wait for my Battle of the Bands post coming up tomorrow. No song clues in this current post. The clues can be found in my two previous posts.
In any case, please stop by tomorrow to vote on my next Battle.
Are you making do? Are you pretty adept at adapting to new situations? What in your life has flustered you the most?
A portion of this post originally appeared in a comment I left on Loni Townsend's Squirrel Talk.
I think with both my writing and my guitar playing, I'm just good enough to be considered professional while still never excelling to the very top of either. But that's all right, I've enjoyed the ride so far.
ReplyDeleteAlex, "just good enough" is good enough if it works. It's nice to be better, but sometimes it doesn't matter.
DeleteLee
>>... It’s not so much how good you are as much as it is what you do with what you’ve got and the lucky breaks you encounter along life’s way.
ReplyDeleteWell, I've been around plenty (56 years) and rubbed shoulders with a lot of folks (the famous, and the obscure like me) and I will say without the slightest hesitation that in "this world" (which The Holy Bible repeatedly tells us is ruled by satan, not by God - and that's abundantly obvious) it's not about your talent. It's mostly about who you know. Secondly, it's about getting lucky breaks.
For every famous person we can name, there are hundreds of unknown people working at that same gig who are actually BETTER than the famous folks. My December 15th BOTB will prove this.
I honestly believe that I am a better, more creative writer than are most professional writers. But I didn't get the lucky breaks, and I never knew people who were in a position to promote me in a way that would have an impact.
In my next BOTB, I'm putting a totally unknown singer against one of "this world's" most famous, most beloved singers. They will both be singing one of the most famous Gospel songs ever composed. And guess what! The unknown singer is going to utterly annihilate the famous singer in the voting. This will be a blowout!!! (It SHOULD be my first shutout, and if it isn't, I'll be disappointed, and I'll question the sanity of some of my voters.) Yes, Lee, even YOU will vote the correct way this time. Ha!-Ha!-Ha!
[:o)
If not, you will be banned for life.
[;o)
Ho!-Ho!-Ho!
~ D-FensDogG
'Mad As Hell And Not Gonna Take It Anymore!'
STMcC, I would mostly lump who you know and lucky breaks in the same category. My lucky breaks we're mostly because of who I knew or who whoever hired me thought I knew.
DeleteYou've got me curious about your next BOTB post. Let's see if I'm correct with my vote.
Lee
Karen, I agree. We should always aspire for and work toward being better, but we should be enjoying life's ride while we're at it.
ReplyDeleteLee
Even someone who is just good enough can excel if they are the ones trying hardest. Look at Rudy - he'll always be Notre Dame's greatest football story and he only played two downs.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, I think most if not all of us have our moments in the sun as long as we keep showing up for the game. No try, no win, fail, or anything.
DeleteLee
What fun to have a father who's a juggler. My father was an amazing, artist. We lived in NYC...the best place for an artist... but he never learned that marketing is just as important, if not more. As writers, we know this to be true.
ReplyDeleteEm, marketing is one factor that many artists don't focus enough on. If you don't have anyone representing you, you have to do it yourself and it's a loathed activity by many.
DeleteLee
I've heard the theory that my fellow lefties are used to thinking up solutions and innovations many right-handers wouldn't consider, since we're used to adapting to a world not wired for us. We're forced to think outside the box all the time, not just when problems arise.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, that makes sense. Anyone who has to make accommodations in any way has to think beyond the boundaries set for them to make life work in their favor.
DeleteLee
Juggling is a metaphor for life whether you have juggled or not. Dr. Phil cautioned a guest about his ability to juggle so many things as he gets older. You slowly stop dropping balls. I finally got a grip on some of my frustrations. I just have too many balls in the air. So I pick the ones I need to drops in order to keep the important ones going. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnn, so true! Priorities need to be assessed and proper action needs to be addressed.
DeleteLee
It must have been an exciting life with your juggling family, Arlee. It certainly developed your philosophy about life! I'm off to do a bit of juggling today and see just how lousy or good I am at keeping those balls in the air.
ReplyDeleteC.Lee, can't say life was always more exciting than anyone else's, but the components of my life did affect my outlook and philosophy. Good luck with your efforts.
DeleteLee
Lee, I think your life growing up and now is an interesting one. I believe I mention before most folks, including myself, live ordinary lives and while there is nothing wrong with that it would be kinda nice to do something a little extraordinary to reflect on someday. Yeah, I'm making do. We are in a state of limbo right now with DH out of work. I wonder what 2016 will bring. Do you we stay in East Tennessee? Is there a move in our foreseeable future? Will I find a way to work from home doing something I love in Blogosphere or elsewhere in Cyberspace? There's a lot of uncertainties going on with us, but I'm not worried...a bit concerned yes, but not worried. I can adapt to whatever life throws at me as long as I have DH by my side, so whatever comes our way I know we'll be fine doing it together. I'll see ya tomorrow, my friend!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I'm sure you'll manage whatever does come your way. It sounds like you and your husband have the potential for great new adventures in you lives.
DeleteLee
I've really never settled for just getting by.
ReplyDeleteI think we all settle sometimes and move on to whatever comes next. Not moving on and dwelling on failures keeps us from future success.
DeleteLee
“Are you pretty adept at adapting to new situations?”
ReplyDeleteOnly when I absolutely have to be. I’ve read that people who live to be really old share an ability to get past grief, and I don’t see myself as much good at that, and I don’t mean just grief for the dead but grief over my own inadequacies.
Snow, if we can't move on and aspire to bigger and greater things then we mire ourselves down. Don't grieve over inadequacies, but revel and pursue your strengths and talents--we all have those and that's what makes us unique.
DeleteLee
As a creature of habit by nature I have to admit I've surprised myself at how well I do adapt! If we are all but products of the lives we've lived, then let us make the most of it:-)
ReplyDeleteDiedre, if we can't adapt to change that can spell big trouble when change happens.
DeleteLee
"It’s not so much how good you are as much as it is what you do with what you’ve got and the lucky breaks you encounter along life’s way. "
ReplyDeleteVery well put. Some things you can preplan out, some you can't. And wisdom, as they say, is knowing the difference.
CW, and we know what can happen to plans--even those can go awry.
DeleteLee
I am pretty good at adapting to changes. My father was a jack of all trades. He could do anything, it seemed. It's really helped prepare me for adulthood because I knew a little bit about a lot of things. But I never learned to juggle.
ReplyDeleteSusan GK, knowing how to juggle can be fun, but it doesn't mean you know how to do practical things. However if you get paid for the silly stuff then you can pay someone else to do the things that need done. Not great, but it makes do. In the end I guess I'm more of a jack of all trades than my father, but he was better at a lot of things than I am.
DeleteLee
I think I'm making do with life. Same with my writing. I don't think I'm amazing by any means, but I believe I can craft a good tale that people will enjoy. I enjoy them, so there's that at least.
ReplyDeletePatricia, enjoying what you do is a very big factor I think.
DeleteLee
I admire anyone that can juggle! I've tried and it is a skill that eludes me. I know it takes practice but I don't even know how to start that!
ReplyDeleteAs for your questions, I'm making do for the most part, I don't adapt well to new situations and having to endure my husband's gushing over his new grandkid has flustered and annoyed me to death today. I don't get this national obsession with grandchildren.
JoJo, I'm not so interested in other people's grandchildren but I'm crazy about the 5 that are mine. Kids and grandkids are who carry our memories into the future--at least I hope mine remember me after I'm gone.
DeleteAs far as the juggling, start with just one ball. Once you've excelled at manipulating one then keep adding more. It's easy if you focus and practice.
Lee
Everyone is "Good" at something I think, whether they use their talent is another thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lee , wonderful read.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, I completely agree--we are each blessed with at least one special talent. The key to success is discovering that talent and using it to its fullest potential.
DeleteLee
It is always interesting to learn something new about someone. Aint no way I could be a juggler..so kudos to you and your father.
ReplyDeleteI try to adapt well to new situations and I have no choice but make do. My healtth is the most flustering thing in my life. I'm so tired of being sick. Great post Lee!
Lisa, lot's of people can juggle, but most of them never make any money from doing it. Health can be tremendously burdening and restrictive, but challenges make us better when we overcome them or use them to our advantage.
DeleteLee