And carry a big stick!
No wait!
That's walk 'softly' and carry a big stick! Remember Buford Pusser?
Regardless, I'm not very good at either soft or slow, and I don't even have a big stick to carry.
I had a whole bunch of errands to run today, and I found myself looking for close parking spots whenever I arrived at a new stopping point. The only way I could get around reasonably well was to walk very slowly, and there's not much that tests my patience more than "walking freakin slowly." Every once in a while I would get frustrated and determine that I was gonna go faster regardless of the pain, but that never worked out. My un-cooperative calf muscle would just start to cramp in an effort to protect the achilles, and it invariably worked, in that I always slowed down again.
So I gave it up, stopped trying to park close, and just walked slow. And for some strange reason, I enjoyed my errand run in ways I normally don't. I bought a few things for my wife (which I don't do often enough), and actually browsed around one of my favourite stores (Lee Valley Tools) for a half hour. Usually I get anxious within 5 minutes in any store, and need to move on.
And somehow that whole deal is a metaphor for my life. Go like freakin mad, never slowing for anything. Then when something blows up, have a look around, think a little more about those around me, and even take a few moments to smell the proverbial roses.
And so the cycle goes eh? Such is life. I'm pretty sure that I'm gonna be all cranked up again by the weekend!
And as to that stick, I could probably have used one to lean on today, but that would go against the grain for me. There are many people out there who truly need one and heaven help me I don't envy them, or begrudge them their stick. I also see some people who seem to take pleasure in effecting the need for a stick, and that's an attitude I can do without!
And the recovery while slow, is indeed in motion. It is definitely better today than yesterday, and I still remain committed to my plan to run by Saturday.
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."---Confucious
Love
Peter
No wait!
That's walk 'softly' and carry a big stick! Remember Buford Pusser?
Regardless, I'm not very good at either soft or slow, and I don't even have a big stick to carry.
I had a whole bunch of errands to run today, and I found myself looking for close parking spots whenever I arrived at a new stopping point. The only way I could get around reasonably well was to walk very slowly, and there's not much that tests my patience more than "walking freakin slowly." Every once in a while I would get frustrated and determine that I was gonna go faster regardless of the pain, but that never worked out. My un-cooperative calf muscle would just start to cramp in an effort to protect the achilles, and it invariably worked, in that I always slowed down again.
So I gave it up, stopped trying to park close, and just walked slow. And for some strange reason, I enjoyed my errand run in ways I normally don't. I bought a few things for my wife (which I don't do often enough), and actually browsed around one of my favourite stores (Lee Valley Tools) for a half hour. Usually I get anxious within 5 minutes in any store, and need to move on.
And somehow that whole deal is a metaphor for my life. Go like freakin mad, never slowing for anything. Then when something blows up, have a look around, think a little more about those around me, and even take a few moments to smell the proverbial roses.
And so the cycle goes eh? Such is life. I'm pretty sure that I'm gonna be all cranked up again by the weekend!
And as to that stick, I could probably have used one to lean on today, but that would go against the grain for me. There are many people out there who truly need one and heaven help me I don't envy them, or begrudge them their stick. I also see some people who seem to take pleasure in effecting the need for a stick, and that's an attitude I can do without!
And the recovery while slow, is indeed in motion. It is definitely better today than yesterday, and I still remain committed to my plan to run by Saturday.
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."---Confucious
Love
Peter
Some fine bit of wisdom there my friend! Your spelling still sucks but who cares??
ReplyDeleteA brief story for you, my friend. Early in my career, one of my graduate students, who was really struggling, came to me in tears. She announced that she had decided to leave the PhD program at Western; her tears were not for her decision but rather for fear she had disappointed me. I told her I had never been more proud of her than I was at that moment. It was an incredibly courageous decision (ask Michael if you don't believe me). Five years later, she found a program more suited to her interests and her talents and she went on to become an extrememly successful health researcher. The moral of the story: start strong, recognize the time to quit, come back and finish stronger!
ReplyDeleteLove, gail
Amen Gail!
ReplyDeleteLove Joyful Old Roo