Carpe Luck and Handing On the Torch

Another one of my hobbies is historical reenacting — early Indiana pioneer through Civil War.
This weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Spencer County Civil War Days featuring a chance to see the The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay pass by the courthouse encampment.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay is designed to inspire and unify Hoosiers as one of the major commemorative events of the 2016 Bicentennial celebration. Hoosiers will symbolically “pass the torch” connecting generations to IGNITE our future (their pun, not mine — though I like it).
Patterned after the Olympic Torch Relay, Indiana’s version will pass through all 92 of the state’s counties, cover 3200 miles over a five week period, averaging 97 miles per day.

Needless to say that it was an opportunity that I wanted to to see -- that's it, I just wanted to be lucky enough to see it.

Luck isn't just about being at the right place at the right time, but also about being open to and ready for new opportunities.  As ancient saying goes, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” — Seneca

At first, our small band of reenacting brothers were assigned to a post overlooking the Ohio River. Our mission was to  fire a volley salute when the torch was being passed along to the next torchbearer.   Somewhere along the line someone had the idea to have an “official escort” for the several blocks down to the river where the torch would be passed on for the next leg of the journey. I was in period clothing, I know how to load and fire a musket (Thanks to my old friend Wayne A. for lending me his for this), and I was ready for a new opportunity.

After our salute, Rockport Mayor, Honorable Gay Ann Harney, was gracious enough to let us hold and pass the torch: “A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity.”

Luck?  For sure!  But I also believe that our willingness to volunteer our time to transmit our knowledge, learning, etc. to the succeeding generation (a.k.a. To hand on the torch) created this opportunity to literally be a part of handing on the torch.

The Carpe Diem Life Lesson:  As one of my favorite authors Barbara Sher writes: "The amount of good luck coming your way depends on your willingness to act."






I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Carpe Diem Life