Why I Never Wanted to be a Trapeze Artist

I remember, even as a child, being terrified while watching the trapeze artists let go of one swing for another… and wondering whether the artist on the flying trapeze made it or not … depended on the timing!

Suddenly I am the one who feels like the moment has come to let go of the security of one swing while flying through the air to the next one with the safety net removed.

It is just as scary as I imagined and then some.

The last time I felt like this was August 7 2010-the day I started the blog-after excitedly writing the first one- a wave of panic crept over me-what now? What was I going to write the next day and the next ?

It was then I ran into a friend who used to “sub” for me and when I explained my dilemma she broke out laughing! You the teacher of a 1000 stories can’t think of something to write?

What I soon realized was that I was surrounded by stories-with regards to Einstein… the universe isn’t made just up of atoms but of STORIES!

Ever since …I find so many stories the problem is which one-not what to write about each day!

My challenge today is trying to type on my teeny tiny iPhone -which is ancient too-it is taking twice as long to complete this post-but I will persevere!!!

So until tomorrow on this wintry- feeling first day of spring I realize now that God is here waiting in the other swing to help me through this tech transition from a familiar computer to new technology -patience and support will see me through! And all of you loyal blog readers! ❤️

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Happy Birthday Ady-twelve years old today! 🎈

We had Lachlan’s birthday yesterday! Love excuses for the family to gather-surrounded by love!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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8 Responses to Why I Never Wanted to be a Trapeze Artist

  1. Beverly Dufford says:

    Thank you for working so hard to send this post to us today. I can’t even imagine how hard this was, but thanks to you, the little engine that could, kept trying, and sure enough, you made it. I, for one, really appreciate how hard this must be to continue writing your stories every day for ten years, through sad times, sick times, all seasons and even technology problems. When I saw your post today, I wanted to be a cheerleader turning flips (now that is not a good visual) and saying, “Yea, for the best little engine ever!”

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Thank you my best cheerleader of all….I love you and you have definitely held my hand on more than one occasion…when a particularly challenging change appears on my horizon…thank you from the bottom of my heart!

  2. Rachel Edwards says:

    Yeah…thanks for your time and effort to post today to give us the update on the technolgy issues. I totally get trying to do it on the phone .Good luck on the new mode you are going to use…you will do it! Happy Birthday to Lachlain.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Thank you so much Gin-g! I think it was just the abrupt ending to the computer’s ability to blog any more…it remained faithful…it was WordPress that made the wave too high for my old computer to swim through….Old Faithful kept its end of the bargain…WordPress just set the tech too high for it to continue swimming!

  3. Beth Brewer says:

    Thank you for keeping on! Your blog is a part of my daily life ♥️

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Change is hard but in hindsight always needed and we are better off for it….just difficult going through it…keep telling myself that in the big picture…I and the blog will be better off or it…soon a new benchmark date will be part of Chapel of Hope’s Story! thank you Beth for the encouragement and support!

  4. Lynn Gamache says:

    For sure you are a faithful blogger and friend. I too understand the frustration of trying to get my fingers on the right keys when trying to use my cell phone….near impossible at times. But you did it! And now here’s a poem that may encourage you along the way today….
    Years ago, Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) popularized an old poem—the commonsense simplicity and clarity of which have encouraged many anxious and weary saints.

    From an old English parsonage down by the sea
    There came in the twilight a message to me;
    Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
    Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
    And on through the doors the quiet words ring
    Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

    Many a questioning, many a fear,
    Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
    Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
    Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
    Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
    Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing

    Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
    Do it reliantly, casting all care;
    Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
    Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
    Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
    Leave all results, do the next thing.

    Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
    Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
    In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
    The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
    Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
    Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

  5. Becky Dingle says:

    “Do the next thing”…I will always remember those inspiring words from that beautiful poem. We must continue walking forward along our God-given path using the talents He gave us for as long as we humanly can.

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