Lessons I learned (so far) reading Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run"

Welcome back to my Blog, Gang. I have been doing some pondering and giving thanks for my family and friends the last few weeks.  I took a break, and for my birthday, I began reading Bruce's autobiography. I am only 200+ pages in but don't worry; no spoilers, after all, we all know how his story ends with BBBRRRUUUCCCEEE!

But here are some inspirational lessons from The Boss:

1. There are no shortcuts to greatness. 

2. There is no greatness without practice, practice, practice. There is the 'practice of law'; the 'practice of medicine'; the 'practice of teaching'; and the 'practice of music'. Great players play and play music. It's not called 'work'; it's called 'play' for a reason, and ya gotta play until you give blood.

3. When you start from abject poverty, there is no way but up. Yep, some are born with money and power and connections. But if all you got is raw talent and desire, 'born to run' becomes your best means of escape. 

4. When few believe in you, even one's father, you must have the fortitude to believe in yourself. And sometimes that takes a leap of faith that few of us have the courage to take.

5. There is message and there is money. One drives a person to make a difference and strike a chord with others; it has staying power. The other drives you around and around and around in a insatiable journey.

6. If you want to be great, failure is not an option; it's a necessity. You have to lose and fail to figure out why you are not as good as you think you are...or can be.

7. Heart and soul cannot be measured, but it is the key to lifelong friendship and collaboration--thus, the

 E Street band is still rockin'-- 40 years and counting.

8.  When you come from a bloodline that screams alcoholism and depression, facing those demons matters. Avoiding illegal drugs completely was a non-negotiable for Bruce. And for 22 years so was drinking. He is no saint, but when he faced a father whose alcoholism ruined his 'Pops', Bruce knew he needed to always have control of those demons. Actually, he always wanted control of a lot things--mostly his music.

9. Sex is certainly not one of his demons, but it is one of his themes.

10. Mom's matter. His mother saved him many times.As did his sisters, his wife Patti and his children.

So that's just a short list. I think all of this is metaphorical. These qualities are all a part of everyone's emotional, physical and spiritual fabric. Especially mine. 

Today an aspiring,young teacher asked me what I would do on the day or days after this election!

Today an aspiring, bright young teacher asked me what I would do on the day or days after this election. She mentioned her heartfelt disappointment in Secretary Clinton's loss and her fear of a Trump presidency. She told me that other teachers felt the same. She told me some called in sick, some just sat shell shocked and had the kids do work, some had them draw pictures...perhaps some just ignored the reality of the election and just pushed forward with content.

Then she asked me what would you do, Mr. Pacilio?

I would not THINK of calling in sick. That is not adult or responsible. 

I don't break out the crayons.

I don't push on and ignore what happened. I have some experience with emotional earthquakes. I am referencing my blog entries to two subjects: What did I do the morning of 9.11 and what did I do when a student asked me if I was a Democrat or Republican.

That said. here is what I would have done.

 I would ask the students to write a question about the election. For example, why did Trump win or why did Hillary lose? What does this mean for America's poor, unemployed, minorities, LGBT communities, etc.

Then I'd gather them up and give my best answers. I prided myself on being factual and willing to understand different points of view.

So I would talk about the rust belt folks who tipped the election and who have had jobs shipped overseas or lost to automation or lost to a profit motive of invisible shareholders.

I would talk about the opioid  addiction issues that plague the Appalachia counties and devastate its people

I would talk about the fear that people feel about governments in Africa and the Middle East falling and the refugees fleeing. Where do people go when disaster strikes--they were fleeing Germany under Hitler's reign of terror.

I would discuss what scientists are saying about global warming and that hopefully Mr. Trump sees the light and realizes that it is not a hoax. 

I would discuss the fact that in their lifetime I am confident they WILL see a woman president. I would remind them of Gold Star parents like Mr. Khan, whose son died in defense of America, who, like thousands of Muslims, Jews, Catholics, etc..,believe in and fight for the right to be free to express in their spiritual views.

I would remind them that even President Obama deported a great number of people who entered the nation illegally; however, he also had a path to help the dreamers. Perhaps that balance can be negotiated.

In the end I would say this: Presidents come and go. Loved ones are with you forever. Trends change. But core values of compassion for others, kindness to strangers, love of country, fidelity to lovers, fair play, equal opportunity, sharing our abundance, and that the color of one skin has nothing to do with the content of one's character are what binds us and makes us the UNITED States of America. 

We have been through Civil War, Civil Rights for all, and the key word is civil. And what does civil mean? Perhaps this election saw a lack of civility--more than 

most elections--but in the end, we endure and remain civil. Those that do not understand that and choose hatred and violence do not represent what America stands for. 

Id ask them, rhetorically: What do you stand for? 

Then I would remind them that this is what I stand for:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. 

That's how I see it from my Metaphor Cafe. .

You'll do just fine when a crisis occurs. I know it.