Inspiration and guidance can be communicated through many mediums. The most unlikely occurred to me in the summer before my senior year in high school.
I had worked in a local movie theater in my home town; because it was the newest business in town that hired the “hippest” workers, and I wanted to be part of the “hip” crowd. I had managed to gain employment as a concession stand worker and part-time projectionist. After working most of the summer, double shifts, I was well acquainted with most of the “hip” employees. One night, during a throwing session in a ball-pit of the indoor playground; my fellow employees began challenging aspects of my personality, identity, and general likes and dislikes. After a barrage of attacks towards me, I left the ball-pit and scurried away to collect my belongings to end the night of work. One of the closest fellow employees, who I now call a dear friend, told me that no one had meant any harm by the constant nagging and questioning of my identity, but that they had felt I personally needed to know that they were there for me if need arose. Of course, I continued to stomp my feet as I walked away and collected my belongings.
Most evenings the “hip” crowd would provide me a ride home from our theater. This night however, I was not interested in associating myself with the “hip” transportation. As I clocked-out for the evening and began my walk home, 4 miles, after midnight; I soon found myself wondering if my “hip” friends were right. Then a car pulled up alongside me. It was the “hip” crowd. They asked that I get into the car with them, continued to express their sympathies for hurting my feelings, and that they only cared about me. Of course, I didn’t believe anything that they had to say, so I continued my trek without commenting. A little further along the road, the expressions from the crowd began to increase in number and volume. Then the comments began to turn negative, “don’t be so stubborn, don’t be a fool,” etc. At this time, I had had enough comments from the peanut gallery. I simply ran behind their car, crossed the median into the other set of lanes and then into a grassy field. I began walking the roadside in the direction that prevented them from driving next to me. I showed them…or so I thought.
Up ahead at the nearest intersection, they made a U-turn and drove toward me. I decided enough was enough, so I ran perpendicular to the road into a parking lot to get away from them. To my surprise, they parked the car on the side of the road and everyone got out of the car and ran after me. My dear friend was shouting for me to stop, that the whole ordeal was ridiculous, and that they did not mean anything by the belligerent comments. And that is when I learned the lesson that sometimes a sign of inspiration may be right in front of you.
As I began thinking about the comments that had been made; as I turned to look back at my dear friend in consideration of joining them for the car ride home; I looked up and saw a SUBARU dealership sign. Normally, the SUBARU sign would mean nothing to a passerby; except that you may spout a line from a Crocodile Dundee movie and have a good laugh. But on this particular night the sign had been lit up past its normal hours of operation, and some of the lights had burnt out. I stopped immediately in my tracks and there was the message, as plain as day, right in front of me…U B U.
It was in that moment I vowed to live my life by being myself. I would no longer pretend to be anything that I was not, and I would always try to be the best me I could be; utilizing my inner self-awareness and progressive goals, I continue to challenge myself to better know who I am, and where I want to be.
Did you know that the average American is subjected to over 1,000 advertisement messages daily? Did you further know that on any given US Interstate you will pass 4 billboards between exits?
Next time your looking for the answer to a difficult question, or are in search of something that could change your life; let the world put out its messages and you shall receive it.
