Hot & Fresh Humble Pie Served Daily
Turning Feral Journal - Day 23
Day 23: Yesterday I had posted a picture of a whole mess of traps that were ready to go out on my line. I left feeling confident to go set them with my daughter for a few hours and when we got home I had two missed calls. The voicemails left were from two guys I look up to in the trapping world who had seen the photo and both went a little something like this:
“Hey, Zach. I saw your photo and I’m not sure, but it looks like you are doing [insert my mistake here]. I don’t wanna step on toes or come across as I know everything, but just wanna save you some potential pain and a situation that can get real western, real fast.”
So, what did I do? I called them both and heard them out… and learned. It always shocks me when people who are experts in their craft are so humble that they don’t want to be intrusive or make someone feel bad. It’s an admirable trait, but I am also very glad that they both cared about me enough to calland let me know the error in my ways! Thankfully when I went to check my line, I had not caught anything yet and was able to fix the mistake(s) they pointed out.
For those here who have read my book Turning Feral, then you know I am an advocate for eating humble pie. Not just when you happen to come across some, but actually seeking out opportunities where you know the bitter treat will be served. Every time I trap or do anything that’s still new to me, I expect to be stuffed like a Thanksgiving Turkey with humble pie. So, if you aren’t finding humble pie on your own, find friends like I have that will kindly serve it to you – it will make you a better human.
Daily Prompt: When was the last time you ate humble pie? What areas in your life are you avoiding it? How can you develop a taste for it so it’s not as off-putting?:
Motivational Passage:
I'm always asked, 'What's the secret to success?' But there are no secrets. Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.
-Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Rewilding Action: Following the theme of eating humble pie, it’s time to try and fix something on your own. Think about the list of things in your life that need to get done that you have no clue how to do… It could be changing your car's oil, fixing the slow leak in your toilet, or replacing those waterlogged baseboards… Tackle whatever it is with pride and use all of the resources at your disposal. Expect that you will eat pieces of humble pie along the way and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!