Will You Get Your Fifty Cents?

[Jennifer]

So was the story of the little black girl who got her fifty cents amazing or what!!

What did the girl possess that allowed her to conquer this white man?  (This is something that should not have happened in this time and culture.)

Did she KNOW that this man was not going to hurt her or kill her?

What can we learn from this girl?

Before you read the story would you have gotten the fifty cents?

Now that you have read the story would you now get the fifty cents?  If so, why?

[Lance]

So was the story of the little black girl who got her fifty cents amazing or what!!

What did the girl possess that allowed her to conquer this white man?  (This is something that should not have happened in this time and culture.)

Did she KNOW that this man was not going to hurt her or kill her?

What can we learn from this girl?

Before you read the story would you have gotten the fifty cents?

Now that you have read the story would you now get the fifty cents?  If so, why?

The story is amazing on several levels.  First, to see a child stand up to an adult.  Second, especially given the time in history, her skin color and gender were stacked against her.  And then, violence seems like it could easily come into play.

I would have backed down.  Certainly before the I had read the story.  Afterwards?  I'm not sure.  Honest answer: if it were me in the same situation - I probably would have still backed down.  What does that say about me?  What did she have that I lack?

I think we can learn - persistence.  Belief.  What the 50 cents was for, I don't know.  The point, though - it was very important to the little girl.  She stuck with it.  That's the take away for me - if there is something we really believe in - we NEED to stick with it.  Even against large odds. 

I hope that if I'm in a similar situation today (where something matters very much to me) - that I stand up for it, stick with it, don't give up on it...

[Jennifer]

The story is amazing on several levels.  First, to see a child stand up to an adult.  Second, especially given the time in history, her skin color and gender were stacked against her.  And then, violence seems like it could easily come into play.

I would have backed down.  Certainly before the I had read the story.  Afterwards?  I'm not sure.  Honest answer: if it were me in the same situation - I probably would have still backed down.  What does that say about me?  What did she have that I lack?

I think we can learn - persistence.  Belief.  What the 50 cents was for, I don't know.  The point, though - it was very important to the little girl.  She stuck with it.  That's the take away for me - if there is something we really believe in - we NEED to stick with it.  Even against large odds. 

I hope that if I'm in a similar situation today (where something matters very much to me) - that I stand up for it, stick with it, don't give up on it...

Lance, not sure exactly what she had that you don't, but I'm sure you'll figure it out before the book is over.  This kind of sets the stage for the rest of the book.

I believe I have a little glimpse into what she had.  I can identify with this girl in a lot of ways.  I can be very ornery in a silent kind of way.  Sometimes good, sometimes not so good.  She knew going in to talk to that man that she was not leaving, no matter what, without that 50 cents.  She was not going to back down for any reason whatsoever!!!  Not a chance.  Nothing was going to stop her - not even the threat of death.  I can't say for sure at this point that I would get that 50 cents, but I almost feel I could.  I'm sure we'll both gain some more insights as we read further in the book.

[Lance]

Lance, not sure exactly what she had that you don't, but I'm sure you'll figure it out before the book is over.  This kind of sets the stage for the rest of the book.

I believe I have a little glimpse into what she had.  I can identify with this girl in a lot of ways.  I can be very ornery in a silent kind of way.  Sometimes good, sometimes not so good.  She knew going in to talk to that man that she was not leaving, no matter what, without that 50 cents.  She was not going to back down for any reason whatsoever!!!  Not a chance.  Nothing was going to stop her - not even the threat of death.  I can't say for sure at this point that I would get that 50 cents, but I almost feel I could.  I'm sure we'll both gain some more insights as we read further in the book.

I'm thinking persistence, or a willingness to "stick with it" - are keys here, the more I think about it.  The thing is, being able to do this, even when things look really bleak...

[jayfrawley]

Persistence and knowing your desired result before you get into a situation is key in life. That little girl had no intention of leaving there without the .50. That is how we need to go through life. Have dreams, make sure they suit your true desires, and then go after them with no doubt, NO DOUBT that they will come to fruition. If you hit a wall, walk around, go over it, or grab a sledgehammer and go through it, but do not ever turn around and walk away. Your goal's destination could be right past that wall, and if you do not keep moving your life will be unauthentic. There is nothing worst than that!! Always make sure you get your .50!

[CreateaBalance]

Using Lance's word of the year, the little girl possessed courage. Lots and lots of courage. And by courage I mean doing it any way regardless of the fear.

[Jennifer]

I'm wondering if this little girl even had any fear at all.  I can just see her standing there with absolutely no fear.

Courage

No doubt

Knowing - that no matter what she would

Persistence....

I think we're on to something here...

[jayfrawley]

I agree Jennifer, fear did not even enter into the equation. I think this is true whenever persistence is involved. Fear is something that had already been dealt with before the persistence became the burning desire. That is where Lance's courage comes in. We have the courage to face our fears first, then move forward with unwavering persistence to fulfill our most treasured desires.
Imagine we all possessed the courage of that little girl early in life!

[Lance]

For me, I question whether you can indeed have fear, and yet, at the same time have courage to overcome that fear.

I have a specific personal example - which for me feels exactly like this - fear, and then the courage to overcome it.  A few years ago, my wife and I went skydiving.  I recall (vividly!) standing at the open door on that airplane - and I can say without a doubt that there was fear like I've never felt before.  And yet, I also knew exactly what I needed to do to be successsful - I needed to take that next step - that one out of the airplane.  At the same time I was gripping, with white knuckles, anything I could get my hands on.  It was fear - and then it was courage - as I took that step and then jumped. 

So, at least for me - and maybe it's a matter of how we all define it - courage can overcome fear.  Persistence, keeping at it, not giving up - this is all very important too.  Especially in the face of what those things that mean much to us...

[Jennifer]

For me, I question whether you can indeed have fear, and yet, at the same time have courage to overcome that fear.

I have a specific personal example - which for me feels exactly like this - fear, and then the courage to overcome it.  A few years ago, my wife and I went skydiving.  I recall (vividly!) standing at the open door on that airplane - and I can say without a doubt that there was fear like I've never felt before.  And yet, I also knew exactly what I needed to do to be successsful - I needed to take that next step - that one out of the airplane.  At the same time I was gripping, with white knuckles, anything I could get my hands on.  It was fear - and then it was courage - as I took that step and then jumped. 

So, at least for me - and maybe it's a matter of how we all define it - courage can overcome fear.  Persistence, keeping at it, not giving up - this is all very important too.  Especially in the face of what those things that mean much to us...

Lance, you are much braver than me - at least in regards to sky diving.  Whoa!!!

So do you think that this girl did have fear and then had the courage to overcome it?