<in a sing-song kids' tune:>  "Initiative, initiative... "  I don't remember and can't find the rest, but it's all about initiative as sung by kids on a Patch the Pirate tape.  My tape selection has diminished, and that is one of the few left in my car.  Amber and I listened to it on our mini-roadtrip the other day.  It's kind of painful, actually.  You wouldn't think an adventure story with a pirate would be, but then again, its target audience probably still has their lunch packed by Mom.  That tape has helped me get through long road trips, when any more NPR or Shrek 2 songs would have me driving into the ditch.  Still, take only in small doses... Getting back to 'initiative,' here are some ways that wiktionary defines it: "1) a beginning, a first move" (OK, basic enough) "2)a new development, a fresh approach to something; a new way of dealing with a problem" now that's what I'm talking about.  more descriptive and motivating and what I think of especially when it comes to a job- a company is looking for someone with def.2 'initiative' to help them achieve the results they're looking for.  and lastly, "3) the ability to act first or on one's own"  this def sounded the most off to me- the word 'ability' in particular.  while reading it over again gave me a better sense, 'ability' and 'action' are way different to me.  I may have the ability to punch someone or hug them or benchpress 300 lbs, but unless I do it, what's it matter?  Don't we all have the ability to do things on our own?  or is that something that we're born with or without?  I need encouragement from others, but doesn't everyone to some extent?  I'm glad that there are people who do see something that needs to be done and do it, regardless if anyone follows or joins them.  I do see ugly variations of that, though, myself included as a culprit.  Maybe because noone's done it or because we don't trust someone else to do an adequate job, we do it ourselves, and take the credit whether or not we even gave the chance for someone to help or maybe it's not only pride, but impatience "it isn't already done, so that means it never will be unless I do something about it."  Chill out!  Chill too much and nothing may ever get done, but try and do everything and 1) you won't be able to and 2) it won't be that good of a job because believe it or not, there are other people who can do better than you!  hmm... harsh.  it's all about balance.  'balance' was one of the words Hope and I defined on an index card on our dorm door.  It's something that consumes my life once in a while.  Am I doing what's important?  am I spending a good amount of time on projects/friends/voluntee ring?  am I doing anything worthwhile in the longrun?  Back to initiative.  I won't expound on every area that affects (or should)- in fact, I won't even mention what brought all this on, only to say that in this case, in my judgment, it was when someone else was supposed to take the initiative, and I was dying for something to happen, but still was tempted to elicit it myself, but my patience held out enough that it did happen, but not on my accord.  (can we say, "run-on?")  ; so hurray for people following through or taking the initiative or just taking a small step to let others know they care!