my own resourcefulness . Once I had to sprint after a departing train because I had hopped off to validate my train ticket . I asked myself , “ What is the worst thing that could happen ?” I ’ d lose my clothes and toiletries and whatever else was in my backpack . Money could replace those things . I ’ d be lost . I ’ d find my way again . I ’ d get hurt . Hopefully , I ’ d heal . During my trips I made smart decisions and never took unreasonably dangerous risks . However , when confronted with an intention or a desire , however anxiety-inducing the prospect , focusing on one step at a time helped me move toward my goals .
I ’ ve always loved the poem by Emily Dickinson , “ Hope is the Thing with Feathers ” because of its , well , hopefulness : “‘ Hope ’ is the thing with feathers — That perches in the soul — And sings the tune without the words — And never stops — at all —.” Not everything can be planned from beginning to end , but you shouldn ’ t stop just because you can ’ t see every step of your plan . Sometimes action must precede hope . Take the leap and then keep singing .
Whether you ’ re traveling or making immense life choices like starting a business , having children , moving , saying “ yes ” to a relationship , or changing jobs , don ’ t sit still . Make your plans , purchase your ticket , and then watch as familiar ground evaporates into your past and you rise eagerly and confidently toward your future . n
Monica Filippone Sechrist is a high school English teacher , theater teacher , gifted program coordinator , and fall play director in Pittsburgh , Pa . She loves to travel , read , act , and direct . Sechrist earned a B . S . in secondary education English from Duquesne University , an M . S . in educational leadership from The University of Pittsburgh , and a Ph . D . in instructional management and leadership from Robert Morris University . Sechrist resides in Pittsburgh with her husband Jake .
WINTER 2017 INSPIRING LIVES 55