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I wondered how we - the great American country that invaded Iraq and toppled the Saddam Hussein dynasty that we established and invaded Afghanistan, waging war in these and other countries for now more than seven years - would handle the Russian-Georgian conflict. Should have known that our politicians would have an answer:

Condelessa Rice explained: "This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia where Russia can threaten its neighbors, occupy a capital, overthrow a government, and get away with it," she said. "Things have changed."

Ohhh!

And just what makes this any different than America’s decision to reached half-way around the world to bring death and destruction to the Middle East?

Russia, according to Rice, overstepped its bounds by invading it’s neighbor. Russia’s brutal attacks in Georgia "calls into question Russia’s suitability for all kinds of activities that it has said that it wants to be a part of," she said.

I can’t agree more.

But, on what authority do we speak out against other countries who simply follow our lead?

I must have been asleep in the class when this lesson in logic was explained.

"When you graduate, you’re not done. The diploma is just your license to begin learning."

Bill helped me to put it in perspective. I’ve always been glad he did because it took me much longer than most to get my degree.

I began working in grade school but began my first "real" job working part time as a cashier in the local grocery when I was senior in high school. Back then, I just had to demonstrate that I could add and subtract accurately.

Now I’m an "old lady". (It’s not my perception but one that others use to classify me. They do that, you know for statistics. But that’s another story.)  Once in a while I pull out my degree - that "magic piece of paper" that everyone said would be the key to success and I recall the countless hours I spent studying to get top grades. And, I laugh!

I began my college education straight out of high school  It took 28 years for me to get my bachelor’s degree. That was just one of countless achievements I earned in 50 years. Adult continuing education courses and  self-directed study played a huge role in my ability to stay ahead of trends in the career fields I chose to pursue.

But no matter what career path we choose for oursleves, the fickle winds of supply and demand and factors far beyond our control, things like economic downturns and public perceptions play a significant roll in how we proceed. Sometimes to get to the next level, we step back or veer slightly off course.

Tomorrow, my education begins again. I’m going to be trained on how to bag groceries with the anticipation that I will soon be able to work as a cashier in the local grocery again. And what of those other careers…the education and skills..the accomplishments of the past? They’re still alive and well.  I will be pursuing them with the same passion of years past and taking them to new levels. 

And what do I tell youngsters when they ask my opinion about going to college and getting a degree?

Your education is critical! Be a sponge. Read, study and experience everything you can — but make sure you focus your energy on those things your passionate about. If it interests you learn everything you can. If it doesn’t, let it go. Don’t focus on the degree…that’s a piece of paper you pick up along the way for the benefit of others. The real value is the knowledge you put into your own head. No one can take that away from you. Choose to follow your passion. That is yours to keep no matter what job life calls you to do.

Everyone has their own methods for getting past stress and frustration. The only method that doesn’t work is playing ostrich, putting your head in the sand and pretending that the problems don’t exist. You can’t keep on keepin’ on, using the same old tactics, and expect that the end result will be any different than it has been.

If you’re unhappy with the current state of affairs, take a little time off to evaluate what EXACTLY you’re unhappy about and what you want to be different. It’s ok if you don’t see an immediate solution but it is important to dig very deep to get past the symptoms and identify the root of your dissatisfaction.

A downward spiral is tough to break. Things do get out of control from time to time. When nothing else seems to help, why continue to beat your head against the proverbial wall? Get away and tend to a garden, play with a child, pet your cat, take a walk. Do something - anything - different and make sure that it’s the most productive thing you can do at this immediate moment.

Frequently, when you go back, you’ll find the issues resolved themelves. Yes, it’s true, some things are just out of your control. But if they haven’t, then it’s time to take action. The time you’ve spent on R&R will have given your subconscious time to work through the issues. You’ll see them in a much different light. You can re-evaluate whether the issues are valid, whether, you’re contributing to them and what you can do different. 

Then the work begins. Don’t just think about it. Don’t make excuses. Take action based on your new perspective.