Sometimes the inspiration to write comes out of left field, hitting me with a sudden urge to let my fingers fly across the keyboard. It strikes without warning, usually early in the mornings, especially when responding to emails. I don’t know why but there’s something about that task that makes the writer in me come alive. (Photo credit: jefftunn)
This morning I was composing an email back to a subscriber named Barbara Ann Hartman who wrote, “……That will be an adventure for you, I know. Are you thinking of moving elsewhere???” She was referring to a string of latest updates here at Adversity University, some of which might lead me to an opportunity in another part of the country.
What was interesting about her question was that she wasn’t the first to ask me about this. I don’t know about you, but I’ve lived in five different places in three states and one major metropolitan city since moving out of my boyhood home almost 30 years ago (Latham, New York). As you might imagine, that calls for newly acquired skills every single time.
Thanks to the sense of independence my mother instilled in me, I am as independent as you can imagine. While I don’t feel any pull to move anywhere at the moment, I do know that if I saw an exit for an opportunity and it felt right, I’m more than likely pulling myself up by the bootstraps and once again entering the highway of destiny and getting off at the opportunity exit.
Almost as soon as I graduated from high school in the late 70’s, I moved to Poughkeepsie, NY for 4 years at Marist College (midway between Albany, NY and New York City). I experienced what it was like to be homesick my first year but after that, I relished every moment away from home. It was there I learned how to make my own decisions, structured my day the way I saw fit, became a student leader on campus (”Hopson Elected Lieutenant Governor“) and either succeeded or failed on my own dime. It was a very interesting time of growth and learning. (Photo by Desolate Places)
The work ethic my father taught me as a youngster took root during those college years. I rarely partied during the week, leaving that instead for the weekends. Every time my roommate asked if I wanted to join a bunch of people for a joint or visit the Rathskeller, a bar in the basement of my dorm building, I’d invariably turn him down saying along the lines of, “I’ve got to do this term paper, maybe this weekend.” That sense of commitment to my work would later prove invaluable during my future years on Wall Street.
Then I did something I never thought I’d do - moved to New York City where I lived and worked for 16 years (which was like the blink of an eye - VERY FAST). (Photo: gailatlarge.com)
After my spiritual revelation and quitting Wall Street in the late 1990’s, an opportunity came from Michigan to work on a book project that I thought would significantly enhance my newly chosen inspirational speaking career. I packed all my belongings in a 10-foot Penske truck and drove a thousand miles to begin a new life.
A year later, the entire book project fell apart with stunning speed and I was faced with a new choice - to stay or to return to New York City?
I decided God wouldn’t bring me all the way to Michigan for nothing so I stayed put, taking on odd jobs and occasional speaking gigs, trusting I’d be led somewhere magnificent. It happened on one morning when I made a HUGE discovery on the Internet that deaf pilots had been flying since the 40’s!
This momentous discovery brought my boyhood dream roaring back to life. I knew immediately that was why I came to Michigan. Not to work on a book project, but to learn how to fly. (Photo to the left was taken after my very first flight lesson in a Cessna 150).
I stayed there for 7 years until an opportunity materialized that required moving to OH to undergo specialized flight training. After it was over, many of my critics were stunned to silence because they never believed in their wildest imagination that I would pull off 
something they considered to be impossible (Photo of me in the cockpit from this article: Akron Man is First Deaf Pilot to Earn Instrument Rating).
That was February 2006 but I’m still here, in Akron, OH.
And now I’m growing somewhat restless again. I sense the winds of change and opportunity coming soon.
God will take us on a journey beyond our wildest imagination if we choose to stay open and follow His will.
Food for thought: What about you? What do you think are the necessary ingredients to respond to the winds of change and opportunity? Risk? Faith? You tell me.
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2:18 pm on August 23rd, 2008 1
Me? I think a healthy amount of carelessness is helpful when trying to follow the “winds of change.” Seriously, you have to be a little backward, go against the current, throw caution to the wind, be a little reckless–that’s just what it takes to follow your dreams sometimes. Well, at least that is my experience.
8:29 pm on August 23rd, 2008 2
As the expression goes, “with great opportunity comes great risk”. I used to think this was a negative thing, that it meant don’t take opportunities when they come, be afraid of taking risks. Now I know the opposite to be true.
In order to truly be open to opportunities, you have to be open to experiencing life. That means doing things that are outside your comfort zone, taking risks, and yes, making mistakes and failing once in a while too.
If I hadn’t lived by this philosophy, I would have not done many of the things I’ve done - including changing careers at 27, becoming a teacher, performing music, or owning my own business. You have to do things that scare you. That’s the only way to grow. Be open to the opportunities life presents, then seize them.
I wish you the best of luck, Stephen, wherever the winds of change take you next.
9:20 pm on August 23rd, 2008 3
@ Susan Murphy:
It’s interesting to have read your comment at the time I did because I was reading a book by Dan Millman on a chapter about conquering your fears and overcoming them by taking inspired action. This is exactly what you pointed out here.
Oh I’ve fallen on my face many times. Consider the day I was giving a speech at a Kiwanis meeting (before I began my speaking career) when I decided I would step away from my “security blanket” (notes on a podium) and walk among the audience, Oprah-style. Suddenly I forgot what I wanted to say and the room became silent. All eyes were upon me, full of expectancy. Somehow I managed to save the day simply by poking fun at myself and telling them exactly what had just happened. Everyone laughed appreciatively and the rest of the speech went fine.
It sounds like you’ve taken the bull by the horns and move in the direction you were led to and managed to come out intact. BRAVO!
Thanks for the good wishes. Despite the achievements I’ve done, I have much more to do and more fears to conquer. It’s a never ending quest because I recognize, like you, that I have much more work to do and that means facing my fears over and over again. I’m so glad you stopped by and shared with us today - I look forward to hearing from you again!
9:22 pm on August 23rd, 2008 4
@ Ryan:
My interpretation of what you said would be the same as surrendering our innermost fears and just doing it. Sometimes that’s something we have to do if we are to move forward. I like how you put it - “you have to be a little backward, go against the current, throw caution yet be a little reckless in your pursuits.” I was paraphrasing you, of course, but that’s how I perceived your comment.
Kind of reminds me of the salmon that swims upriver, against the current, to find its home.
1:06 pm on August 24th, 2008 5
Come to Colorado. It’s been many years but that’s how we ended up out here from Virginia. My husband just finished his time in the military in the late ’60’s and we wanted to settle down in a place where we wanted to live for the rest of our lives. So, we headed west in what may appeared a modern-day covered wagon (our little Volvo station wagon and U-Haul) and only $600. We didn’t have any jobs lined up even though my husband had sent several resumes and letters to companies out here. We didn’t have any one that we knew. It was an adventure we never regretted 35+ years later.
4:13 pm on August 24th, 2008 6
@ Pat R:
The last time I was out in Colorado was about 3 or 4 years ago when I went there for a speaking engagement. The airport was HUGE and quite beautiful, from what I remember!
It’s amazing how many stories are out there, including yours. Even though you don’t mean it (or maybe you do, LOL), I love “rags to riches” kind of stories - you know, those where people had “pennies” in their pockets with no connections or ability to “pull favors” yet they went on to achieve success of some kind. Sounds like you and your husband fall into that category, which, to me, makes it all the more inspirational, encouraging and powerful. Thanks for sharing!
4:45 pm on August 24th, 2008 7
Dear Stephen -
So strange that I did not know your whole background.
My whole family lives within an hour from your home town and I have flown out of Albany a million times and passed nearby.
That is probably where your mother took you to see the planes take off and hear the vibration.
They live in Catskill, Palenville, Woodstock, Rhinebeck, Hyde Park.
It is a beautiful area. I miss the mountains, don’t you?
So, now we live in the midwest. Like it. But I miss New York still.
Do you?
11:41 pm on August 24th, 2008 8
Chicago, Chicago, come on up to Chicago!
1:04 am on August 25th, 2008 9
@ Corinne Edwards:
Well, if you stick around long enough, I’m sure you’ll discover more things about me you don’t yet know about!
Isn’t that amazing that your family lives within an hour of my birth town? My parents are still living in Latham and I see them a few times a year, mostly for the holidays.
Yes, that airport you’re thinking of is where my mom took me to see planes take off and land. I loved it. Such sweet memories.
I’m familiar with each and every town you say your extended family lives in. How interesting! I did not know that about you - how about that?
I don’t exactly miss my hometown for I think I’ve outgrown it (whatever that means) but I do miss New York City a bit more with each passing year. It’s been oh ten years since I left the city. Every so often I amuse myself with thoughts of possibly returning but with the ability to get myself a very nice apartment in a good area.
1:05 am on August 25th, 2008 10
@ Karen Putz / DeafMom:
Well, Karen, interestingly enough, the thought has crossed my mind for I do like city living. They say if you live in New York City long enough, you can live anywhere. But I have to have a compelling reason for such a move.
Perhaps if Oprah starts calling me her next best friend, I will! LOL.
8:34 am on September 3rd, 2008 11
Hi Stephen,
I love reading your blog! It is inspiring and interesting. Thanks for all you are doing for the human race!
Peace, Patti
11:52 am on September 3rd, 2008 12
@ Patti Roberts:
Thanks for inspiring me to keep on doing what I’m doing because it’s reaching out to people like yourself, which is the whole purpose of carrying on this blog. I hope I will continue to insire you for as long as this blog exists!
12:56 pm on September 7th, 2008 13
Stephen - it’s not so much a “rags to riches” story as it’s an example of the country we live in ~~ a land of opportunity.
Blessings,
4:37 pm on September 7th, 2008 14
@ Pat R:
True, true, true. A matter of perception, hmm? It is a land of opportunity, for sure. I can’t imagine not having the kind of ‘freedom’ we have compared to other countries.