Do you have a second story?

Do the one thing you think you cannot do.
Fail at it.
Try again.
Do better the second time.

— Oprah Winfrey

Before I got even a glimpse of Robb North’s intriguing Flickr photo – featured above – I saw its descriptive title, “second Story”, and that sent me off on a delightful mind-trip imagining all sorts of second stories ala Paul Harvey’s “the rest of the story”.  (You DO remember Paul Harvey, don’t you?  If not, here’s a link: Rest of the Story)

I was barreling down my convoluted contemplation of “seconds” when I finally spotted North’s accompanying photo and then the light dawned: AH! – second story as in a two story house! NOW I get it.  Just goes to show that a picture is worth a thousand words.

seconds Anyone?

Although North’s beautiful photo clarified his intended meaning for its “second Story” title, my brain still wanted to wander on down the “seconds” path

My grandson used to envy friends who had a second story house while I envied those with only a first… Seems as though we’re always hankering after what we don’t have…

And from there I wondered: Are there second story lives?  How about third, fourth, and fifth story lives? “They” say we can all expect to have at least seven careers in a lifetime.  And although the statistic has been officially debunked by the Wall Street Journal, I myself tally eight and counting…

From there it was only a short detour to other “seconds” like:

Second chances… Do we get these or make them?  Perhaps a better question is: Do we take full advantage of the seconds that life offers? What seconds have you been granted in your life and how did you perceive them at first glance, and on second thought, as you grew into them?  Was it time or perspective or acceptance that made the difference?

Secondary education… that would be “high school” which Web.WorldBank.org classifies as “a gateway to the opportunities and benefits of economic and social development… Quality secondary education is indispensable in creating a bright future for individuals and nations alike.”  Certainly a high school diploma is a life-milestone… but can it create a bright future??? Hmmm… methinks that’s up to the individual, NOT the education!  But here’s to the upcoming high school graduates – may you make much of your opportunities!

Do you have a second? Seems to me that what follows that question almost always takes an hour or two.

Second fiddle… If you play second fiddle, you “take a subordinate role behind someone more important”… and when we find ourselves in a supporting role, it’s up to us to contribute as well as learn and grow.

Second helpings… tempting but not such a good idea… the law of diminishing returns teaches that seconds are rarely as satisfying as firsts… and can be quite damaging!

I’m not sure where these mind-meanderings have taken us except to the end of this post.  I thank photographer Robb North for his intriguing title and artfully processed photo of an old house in Ontario, Canada – it’s been fun and now I best move along.

By recollecting the pleasures I have had formerly, I renew them, I enjoy them a second time while I laugh at the remembrance of troubles now past, and which I no longer feel.

— Giacomo Casanova

Seconds anyone?  Thirds?  Fourths?