Someone once had the epiphany that as soon as you figure out how to bribe a kid to do something----they have the audacity to change the rules and you have to start all over. Aren’t there laws against changing the rules? After all it can be very disconcerting when you are in flight, with landing still hours away, and you find out that the plane in which you were comfortably snoozing is now a parachute and the wind is whistling through your hair. I guess we should just be thankful that the chute at least opened. That is called being prepared----many are not. The lesson in all this is that the more tuned-in, vigilant and prepared we are for the rule changes in our lives, the easier it is to stay afloat in the bathtub of life----to re-invent ourselves. I wonder if people who are used to breaking the rules, or at least bending the rules, are more adept at embracing rule changes when they do happen. Or, are they just as vulnerable as the rest of us? When the rules change and you find yourself with "nuthin"----living under a bridge, or in your car----I can tell you from experience that you can re-group, figure out the new rules, and find new ways to keep a roof over your head and food in your belly. When you have found yourself in this place you also become acutely aware that learning the new rules is NOT guaranteed. Testament to this fact are the people that daily jump off the bridges they sleep under. Also having been in that place, I can tell you that finding the right place at the right time requires that you be there. Sometimes people embrace the changes in their lives by being lucky---by being in the right place at the right time. In difficult times it is imperative that we be in the right place at the right time----luck may not be enough----and you may have pissed off all your friends by then. Being “comfortable” becomes a luxury as opposed to something to which we are entitled----and certainly not something to be taken for granted. We all have opportunities to be in the right place at the right time----having the skills or the presence of mind to recognize these opportunities when we see them is the only question. Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
What that person wasn’t enlightened enough to tell me was that when we become adults we have to stay aware that the rules also get changed without our permission or without announcement. Isn’t this the sort of thing that should go out over CNN or FOX News or at least those sources of REAL news----the Grapevine or Facebook?
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Beautifully written Charles. I love the "bathtub of life" analogy. And your closing line is nothing short of Pulitzer Prize winning stuff. Well done my friend.
Charles another great post. We so often don't hear the message, don't see it until someone taps us on the shoulder and says, "Isn't that your train." Hopefully you can catch it before it leaves the station.
We have to find the right time to use all that knowledge we acquired before our soap melts!
What a great day to be alive Charles!
Paul
The people that bend or break the rules are the ones who usually pay someone to do that for them.
They are in the HOT tub
Enjoy the day
Craig, thanks but Pulitzer Prize winning? :)
Diane, great analogy----I think we are on the same bus
Paul, and it melts way quicker than we think
Don, maybe so----but I sometimes like the hot tub
I love floating around in the "bathtub of life". Change is exciting and I always replace what I have with something better.
Charlie,
Sometimes the challenges pile up and it is stressful to put it mildly.
Lizette, there is usually a silver lining somewhere
Steve, it is the old when it rains it pours scenario sometimes
Hi Charles, some deep thoughts. The economic condition in the US has made many if not all of us stop and reconsider priorities.
Dale, I worry more about the people that have not stopped to reconsider their priorities :)
The rules of Real Estate are being changed so fast I do not know what to do.
Charlie, if I knew you better I'd ask you what's up. You seem to be struggling with something. Maybe someday I will know you better.
Gene, I don't envy you agents and brokers.
Glenn, I am always contemplating my navel :)
Well, my friend, I hope you are in the right place in life, now, and as time goes on...
Charles,
What is life without change - Boring! Change usually hides the best fun, most joy and the greatest learning experience.
At least that is my perspective, and when I get older and wear them diapers for big kids change could be a daily thing; )
Jay, yup----and any way----wherever I go there I am----as they say
Don---NOT THE DIAPERS! :)
Don, you know that all Depends...
Mr Charles,
I am totally misunderstanding what you might be talking about here.
Wheatloaf
Those that don't, won't or can't play by the rules are announcing to the world that they are incompetent and should be avoided.