Full Speed… Ahem?

Must be a scary feeling… especially when the waters are a bit rough, as life’s waters are wont to be every so often.

Every morning we are up at a certain time –depending on the day’s doings- and, as we begin to go through a set of non-thinking established motions, our minds become preoccupied with the events we hope will unfold during the course of the morning and afternoon hours. And I guess the key word in this reverie is “hope”.

This is like watching a little “screen shorts tag” of events to come in our own little preview; and that screen is basically our mind’s eye. We know (truer: “we think we know”) what a certain meeting will produce, what those events programmed should develop, and what are the results that should be seen by the end of the day; whether on the personal or the professional plane.

I think of every new day as uncharted sailing. Yes, I know… not much new usually brightens our moments but the possibility is always there for it to indeed happen. And when it does, it will often wreak havoc with the established order we thought we had. My somewhat lackadaisical point of view is not shared by many and especially not, by the person with whom I share my life.

I was speaking with a young friend (well… anyone under the age of 45 is, to me at least, a “young” friend) a couple of days ago. She seemed to be under a lot of pressure at work as well as at home (sounds familiar?) and needed to vent off… for a while she did and I listened. Then I went ahead and, because she requested this, gave her some advice.

Now, I do not consider myself to be Uncle Blabby the Confessor; however, after seeing what advice –if these diatribes can be called so- is given out to unsuspecting people in many "reality" shows, I figure I would do no worse. It is impossible. No you gossip mongers, I will not go into the details because they are not mine to share, but we did talk quite a bit and this individual seemed to be not the worse for wear; in fact, the first smile of the afternoon actually came through and lit up her face, just before she thanked me for the time given, just before we parted company.

Most people in my position might have shunned this particular exchange, for most people don’t want to hear about problems that belong to others. You probably read this and are saying to yourself… “yeah, right!” But I guess I am not most people (for which little bit of individuality that may yet remain, I am grateful) and, by taking this time and diverting it to this purpose, much more was accomplished for the short and the medium run.  Is this what might be called “going with it?” If it is, then “going with it” has some value going for it. A bit of difference was made, perhaps more for the other person than for me; no matter. A tired, angry face was made to smile and that, in of itself, is a definite gain.

Indeed, as already expounded in a few of these entries, we often make the mistake of barreling ahead, of simply gathering steam and allowing our “boat” to pick up speed without taking the time to enjoy the ride and often without taking the time to make sure the all important rudder is still attached. In stopping to listen to others, that “virtual” rudder often gets strengthened or even reattached to the end of our own tiller’s ropes, and many of our life issues become a little easier to navigate.

Don’t be afraid to invest in listening and in enjoying time spent with others. The happiest people I have met along the way have been those who are open and willing to share themselves with others; allowing those others to share their own in return. They who are not afraid to “waste” their time in enjoying the road being traveled, even when this may not have taken them to exactly where they might have preferred to be.

Take care and do enjoy your day… allow it to, once in a while, take you where it may… and enjoy the surprise!!

Be Well … Be Back!!!

Final Notes:

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