Loyal to Self

I have a friend...had a friend...uhhh...There's someone with whom I was once associated, who ate a lot of McDonald's. If we were out driving and we got hungry, more likely than not, this person who want to eat McDonald's. During the time that I associated myself with this individual, I found myself eating more McDonald's than I cared for. Even though I enjoyed the occasional fries and still love milkshakes, my taste buds weren't as loyal to the big yellow M. I don't think this friend of mine meant any harm, but they cared so much about their needs they didn't always pay attention to what I liked. However, once my regular association with this individual ceased so did my trips to McDonald's. My connection to this place was really through this person.

How often do we become caught up in something because of others? We think we are being loyal to them and in the meantime we are being disloyal to ourselves. Never should our loyalty to someone else, outweigh the care we have for ourselves.

Your biggest supporter should be you.

4 Move Checkmate

One of Bridges' after school programs is the Chess Club. Yesterday they met and the students were having a good time playing each other. There was also a new student in the midst, as I had invited him to join the club. I was told that he was a state champion back in middle school, but hadn't played since that time. He decided to come and see what was going on. I encouraged him to play with the other students. 

The second game that the new club student played lasted less than five minutes. His opponent was so shocked, he was still sitting and looking at the board after the game had ended. The former state champion had beat him in 4 moves! "Wait, what happened?" " How did you do that?" Were questions asked by the losing student. Later on the same student says to me and the others, "I would have beat him, if he didn't know that 4 move play."

The losing student may have had a chance, if he hadn't underestimated the new comer. The game may have lasted more than 5 minutes, if he had taken the time to look at the entire picture and not only what he planned on doing. How often do we enter situations and not look at the entire picture? We think we know what the outcome will be, and instead of taking our time and evaluating the entire situation, we jump in head first and end up with our feelings hurt. 

As we go through each day, we must remember there are others waiting to put us in checkmate. Waiting for us to put our guards down and slip up, in order for them to win. Remain vigilant. As you sit at the chess board of life, look at all the moves that are made. Remember that a 4 move checkmate is only possible, when the opponent isn't paying attention. 

Missed Train

Last night I had a dream, where I was travelling with a small human and somehow I ended up on the train and she remained on the platform. Of course I panicked as the train pulled off, wondering how I was going to get back to this child. As the train pulled into the next stop, I jumped off, in hopes of getting the next train back to the prior stop. This plan worked, and as I reached the prior stop, the child was standing there with someone next to her. The person realized what happened and decided to stay with the small human until I returned. The little one didn't even seem fazed by the situation. She stood there quite calmly waiting for my return. We then continued on our journey.

Many times we have our travel routes all planned out, only to be left on the platform. However, unlike the small human, we scream and carry on, believing the train of opportunity has left us behind. When the reality of the situation may be that that train wasn't for us. Or maybe it wasn't the right time. But if we stand and wait, surely the correct train will come along and take us to our right destination. In those situations where we seem to be left behind by others, don't worry. They may be paving the road (whether through their actions or misdeeds) for us to have a smoother journey.