I’ve been challenged throughout the past two weeks to find my flavor and passion. I will have to say, one of my favorite television characters quotes is “Challenge Accepted.”
I had the chance to network amongst my peers and some of the big names in Iowa journalism at the Iowa Newspaper Association annual convention. I was coming into the show with what most would call an emotional week.
It wasn’t until after the convention, while heading out with a 20 lb. gift basket in hand and realizing Ty Rushing had no idea where he parked his car, that I realized the true comedy of my life’s experience. With the help of a Des Moines police officer, we eventually found Ty’s car, but I couldn’t help but find it funny how, after we left that amazing convention, what we talked about most was how everything we mastermind results in a moment you know you will never live down the rest of your life.
After we pulled into Newton, I headed to the Manhattan to see my friend Danny Whitson play. It was an amazing night with some great country music. It was easy to see I was finding my passion with the music. The night ended with an altercation, which took away from a great night, but it was obvious something was missing.
The night before, Ty and I had been hanging out after watching “The Lego Movie” at the Capitol II Theatre and we decided to have an adult beverage. First, we stopped at the Manhattan, and upon walking in, realized we had walked into a countrified jukebox, which made Ty say, “Let’s get moving around,” the signal we were going to check out the rest of the nightlife in Newton.
The classic, yet distinguished strum of an acoustic guitar coming from the speakers was indication that “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks was being played. All of a sudden, Ty stopped, saying we had to pay our respects to the country legend.
I was like, “Really?”
So by the end of it, I found my friend is becoming a country music fan and that it was sad he had to stop me to enjoy something country. It was a comical moment, but one question remained.
Why didn’t I stop to enjoy the music? It was obvious something was missing.
In church this past Sunday, we were talking about salt and light. But in that, I found something that made me start smiling, because I found the “something” I was missing.
It’s knowing that, no matter how bad a week can get, I will still find my smile.
Salt is something that can never stand alone, but if you mix it with some meat, veggies, or a fruity beverage, it comes to life.
So what, then, is light? It’s something you need to complete your life, because no one can live in darkness.
It’s joining in with a friend singing off key to a classic song. It’s a pastor dancing on stage holding a single finger up to a children’s song.
It’s an editor taking you under his wing to teach you how to network a convention. It’s a peace, which reminds you of why you are here.
It gives an ultimate strength to be slapped in the face and smile because someone wants you to play at their level, but you know it’s because you’re doing something right.