Today, another great piece by Linda Stowe about transitions in our lives and the paths we take. Chosen or otherwise.
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Watershed Moment by Linda Stowe
During the years 1968-72, I worked for the local Community Action Committee, which was a federally funded anti-poverty program. I started out as a volunteer, then moved to outreach worker, then to secretary, then to office manager/grants writer. Before working at the CAC, I didn’t know anything about community activism or underserved populations. I only volunteered because I was a bored housewife and my neighbor talked me into it.
However, once I became involved in the CAC and learned more about its purpose, I saw what a noble cause it was. The Preble County CAC was under the umbrella of a larger community action council, based in Dayton, so I began to attend meetings and meet people who talked about ways to lobby for change. I remember reading Saul Alinsky’s book, Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, which was significant in laying the groundwork for my politics today.
Looking back, I can see this time as a watershed moment in terms of the path my life took. If I had not followed that path, I probably would have stayed in Eaton and never would have extended my education beyond high school. Maybe I would have been happy, but it’s doubtful. I was already bored and restless.
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Polly here again.
We never really know, do we, when any given moment might be a significant moment in our lives. When something we do, however small or large, might change the entire direction of our lives.
As Linda reflected on this time in her life, she could see that those early decisions moved her in a new direction, one that would change everything about her life path.
We all have these moments. Maybe they are clear to us, as they were in Linda’s case. On the other hand, those “particular” moments might never be known to us.
For instance, maybe one day, we ran back into the house to make sure the iron was unplugged. That put us five minutes behind in our schedule, and later that day, we met the person we’d end up marrying. Or. We saw the ad in the window for the job opening that was available. Or we missed the intersection where, a moment before, a speeding car ran a red light. We never know. All because of that iron moment.
My point is, we should try to make the most of our every moments. We never know how it might turn our path.
Thanks again to Linda for this great writing.
Watershed Moment by Linda Stowe
