The Things You Learn From Those You Love
While I haven't read the book, there is a story in it that has circulated, and I was recently reminded of it again. As such, I thought I'd share it with you along with the musing that came to me.
Here's the excerpt. (Dibby was Gilda’s housekeeper):
When I was little, Dibby told me a story about her cousin who had a dog – just a mutt – and the dog was pregnant. I don’t know how long dogs are pregnant, but she was due to have her puppies in about a week.
She was out in the yard one day and got in the way of the lawnmower and her two back legs got cut off. They rushed her to the vet who said, "I can sew her up, or you can put her to sleep if you want. But the puppies are OK – she’ll be able to deliver the puppies. Dibby’s cousin said, "keep her alive."
So the vet sewed up her backside and over the next week that dog learned how to walk. She didn’t spend any time worrying; she just learned to walk by taking two steps in the front and flipping up her backside and then taking two more steps and flipping up her backside again.
She gave birth to six little puppies, all in perfect health. She nursed them and then weaned them. And when they learned to walk, they all walked like her.
This story got me thinking about all the things I learned through my life from those I both love and / or respected. These were ideas about life that defined it. Things like:
- What is possible?
- What hinders me?
- Who or what has value?
- What's the most important thing in life?
- And so on.
- Willing to have your version of 'normal' questioned.
- Open to new ideas, (but weigh them against standards of truth)
- Trying new things constantly to discover your potential.
- Willing to be taught new skills.
- Cognitive that you do not impose your constraints on those who follow you.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Image: Licensed under Creative Commons
This post has been previously published on my blog Turning Technology Invisible
About the Author:
I'm the Chief Information Officer for Appleby College, in Oakville, Ontario Canada, where my team is transforming the delivery of education through innovative application of technology.
I'm convinced that IT leadership needs to dramatically change how IT is delivered rather than being relegated to a costly overhead department.
In addition to transforming IT in my role as CIO, I look for every opportunity to talk about this... writing, speaking and now blogging on BeBee (https://www.bebee.com/@kevin-pashuk) , LinkedIn, ITWorld Canada, or at TurningTechInvisible.com.
I also shoot things... with my camera. Check out my photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/kwpashuk
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Comments
Pedro 🐝 Casanova
7 years ago #11
Kevin Pashuk
7 years ago #10
Thank you Susan Rooks. I heard this story years ago, and it comes up every so often as just the right illustration about adversity and mentorship.
Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess
7 years ago #9
Kevin Pashuk
7 years ago #8
' Walking funny in our thought processes' Nice way to look at it Deb Helfrich
Kevin Pashuk
7 years ago #7
Kevin Pashuk
7 years ago #6
You point out the essence of a great story Sara Jacobovici - that each reader can draw out differing facets. The story of Dibby's dog is often told, but I'm always amazed at what readers hear, and apply from this story. Thanks for your comment.
Sara Jacobovici
7 years ago #5
Kevin Pashuk
7 years ago #4
Thanks for commenting Debbie O'Halloran! It's been said that normal is relative... but then, they haven't met my relatives.
Randy Keho
7 years ago #3
Aliens like to watch re-runs of Saturday Night Live as case studies. Kevin Pashuk
Kevin Pashuk
7 years ago #2
So... what are you REALLY saying about 'The Donald' Randy Keho?
Randy Keho
7 years ago #1