Can You Ever Know Anything For Sure? I Say Yes.

When I travel I read magazines.  Firstly because I travel with a toddler so my reading time is limited to short paragraphs in between picking up toys and doling out snacks, and secondly because buying and reading magazines is a luxury to me.  On a recent trip I was thumbing through O Magazine.  Oprah can be a very polarizing figure…but I really like her magazine – it is age appropriate for me, I always find a book or two I’d like to read in the book review section and often an item on her list of favorite things that makes my life easier.

Also, there is usually at least one article that makes me stop and think.  In this particular issue it was the article that talked about her monthly column entitled “What I know, for sure” and its origin when Gene Siskel asked her what she knew for sure.  It was nice to see that her reaction was much the same as mine.  She stammered and delayed for time.  For me, my mind went blank and I sort of panicked.  What do I know for sure?  How can you possibly ever know anything for sure?  But, of course, given some time to roll around in my brain and some silence to live with the question I do have some things I know for sure…a list I hope will grow over the years.

1)    That I want to work…regardless of financial need I want to use my skills to further the goals and objectives of a company and be properly compensated for that.

2)    That my daughter, our relationship, and I would suffer if I did not work but instead stayed at home full-time.

3)    That the traditional work world doesn’t work for many people including me and I very much want to start a revolution to change that.

4)    That because I have a daughter, modeling behavior for her does not stop at eating my fruits and vegetables.  She needs to know she can choose her career in life and that being strong and knowing what she needs and taking care of those needs should be as much a priority in her life as taking care of others is.

5)    That the lessons learned from participating in organized athletics help me navigate the adult world everyday and that this generation coming through school will be less able to understand their strengths and weaknesses, how to delegate tasks to others, how to work as a team to solve problems and how to mentor and lead others so that everyone reaches one collective goal because school districts continue to cut back on gym classes and athletic programs.

6)    That I am not a good listener and I say I’m working on it – but I’m really not – not hard enough.

7)    That I really enjoy spending time with me – one of my favorite dates is going to a matinee by myself and I think that’s nice.

8)    That I am a runner – it’s not an exercise regime, it’s an addiction.  Even if I never take another running step, I will forever be a runner.

9) That it really does “take a village” to raise a child, to start a business, to feel happy and fulfilled in life.  Thank you to my village.

What do you know for sure?  Take your time… it will come to you.