His & Her Perspectives

I know meeting new people and trying new things can be risky business.  Have you been there?  My head spins with:  What should I say?  Could I carry on a decent conversation?  What will happen if I step out of my comfort zone? Will I make an ass of myself? Is this worth the risk? While being ever-hopeful, these questions hold me back. However, I really do want to branch out and reach goals that I have set. I struggled, and I hoped to find more perspective at the end of the rainbow!

From a teacher’s perspective, I can talk with kids all day, but adults are different. One fall, my friend Becky reported that she had a guest speaker for my science classroom. So, on the big day, a speaker arrived wearing full camo, carrying a blind and decoys along with his presentation binder. Capping off the look was his Crocodile Dundee style hat!

The speaker’s account of wild turkeys and conservation efforts were compelling, so I asked for a copy of the information.  He promptly turned me down. Yep, a ‘now I feel like an ass’ moment. Yet after many questions from the students and thanking him for his time, I was invited to a Women’s Day sponsored by the Izaak Walton League (IWL). Should I free myself up to attend? Unfamiliar territory makes me nervous!

Take the Chance:

Oh yes, staying put in a routine feels safe; but what are you missing out on?  How many times have you pondered the pros and cons of trying something new…weighed the risks and benefits? 

I often find if the benefits seem worthy and risks minimal, the decision is easy. Forge ahead. Other higher risk lists, may scream, “Slow down here!”  Listen to your gut instincts.  Ask yourself, “Does the decision I’m about to make lead to any regrets…ones I can’t live with?” 

Here is where I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided that even if I went to the Women’s Day event and didn’t like anything, I would have spent a couple of hours challenging myself to try some new things and meet new people. Deep breath and go!

Finding Your Purpose

Everyone needs to find their own purpose to drive your personal well-being. Centenarians who live in Blue Zones around the world say purpose is the #1 thing that keeps them going.  The IWL bunch carried on a well-run meeting and had several interesting initiatives I could help carry out.  

Here is where the fun began!  I got to meet like-minded people who were eager to make progress and help others—a good fit. Meet Bill, retired Federal Fish & Game Warden Agent 61 by clicking his link below.

After the IWL meeting, I took that deep breath and ventured over to my guest speaker and his closest group of friends. After introductions, I mentioned that I thought turkey hunting seemed like if might be fun. Taking a risk, I thought perhaps I would enjoy hunting if I could get back out there. I was raised a daddy’s girl and had hunted in eastern Iowa through my teenage years, but not for decades since.

Later I was set up with my guest speaker’s friend, Jerry. Let the adventure begin! He and I met twice to turkey hunt. So I headed into uncharted waters. Quickly I realized that I should have truly asked more questions. Strike that. More refined questions.

Why Clarity Is So Vital

One of my most humiliating experiences ever was a hunt with another friend of my guest speaker. This day with Jerry was full of misunderstandings and rookie moves. In order to get clarity and complete understanding, ask for details. It’s all in the details, right?

When given choices, find out possible scenarios. For example, when the meeting time is 4 o’clock, one should ask AM or PM.  How the heck was I supposed to know that anyone on the planet ever considered getting up at 4AM to go hunting?!  So I presumed I had all day to clean and take care of the kids and still meet late in the afternoon—not unreasonable to me. Ha!  I arrived well before 4 PM thinking I would beat Jerry to our agreed upon location. However, I would soon realize differently!

Jerry’s truck was there and he was already set up in the field. Dang. Now what?  I scouted for wildlife and made a dado for the blind. Ever gracious Jerry just laughed when we realized how far off I was on everything. The icing on the cake was when my camp stool lolled off to one side in the sand, sending me careening onto my back. Lordy.

Celebrate the Moment

My guest speaker and one of his friends, Bob, offered to take my oldest son hunting during youth season.  Bryce was all dressed up in warm clothes borrowed from all of us. Just after daylight I got a call from him stating that he had shot a big tom and filled his tag.  “Congratulations! How cool.  You’re done early enough to go to school.”  The guys decided that was a big NO.  They were snapping pictures and had bragging rights to take care of in town.  They even got in the local paper! Again, a learning curve for me. Take the time to celebrate the moment and soak it in. 

Sticking your neck out

Be brave!  My turn came to go hunting with my guest speaker one chilly, rainy spring morning —the day I needed a better rain coat. We met at dark-thirty in the early morning hours…check. Walked what seemed forever to a remote river bottom. And wow did my perspective ever improve!,

As the morning dawned, the songbird chorus kicked in! I was hooked.  Such a pretty view of the river bluff, woodlands, and wildlife. I saw my first ruby-crowned kinglet. The conversation was great and I learned a lot!  My ‘guide’ called in a great tom, but he got hung up too far out of range. No tags were filled. Learning point:  The day was relaxing and fulfilling. I can handle this!

Better Perspective Found at the end of the rainbow

The risk was worth it and so am I!  Hunting was soon to become one of my biggest driving forces. This guide would later become my husband, Brian. I found my pot o’ gold! Sweet!