Could You Just Walk Around The Leaf?

A Bug's Life (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'm going to admit it.  I've stolen this post idea from Tori McClanahan, a fellow teacher in the Kennesaw Mountain Writing Project Summer Institute. The only saving grace is that not only have I admitted that I stole it, but I also told her that I would and she didn't object.  In fact, she admits that she actually stole it from someone else herself.  She can't even remember  who it was, which means that she stole it without even getting their permission.  Tori is a new teacher who is so brilliant and clever she really puts many of us experienced (I won't say older) teachers to shame.  She has all sorts of great ideas and I plan on actually posting (okay stealing) more of them for other upcoming posts.  

In her most recent  blog, Tori develops a cue for teaching students to answer many of their own questions before asking the teacher.  She likens the problem to the situation encountered by the ants in the movie A Bug's Life.  Here's a clip of the problem and the bug's solution.

While Tori is concerned in her blog about her students being paralyzed by a new situation or a new assignment, I have to admit that the problem isn't just for students in a classroom, is it?  How many times have you been stopped dead in your tracks by an unexpected event?  a family member's actions that were totally not what was expected?  a change in routine?  a bump in your career path?  Was it a real problem or just something that needed you to "Walk around the leaf".  Did you make too much of it?  Did you give up too quickly?

I spent years staring at a leaf in my path as I tried to publish my children's books.  I truly felt that someday, someway the obstacle would magically disappear and when it didn't I continued waiting.  Much like the bug in the movie clip, it took someone telling me to "Walk around the leaf!"  before I started considering all my options and began moving forward.

What about you?  Is there an obstacle in your path?  Are you waiting for something to happen?  Could you just "Walk around the leaf"?