This post, one I promised Charlie I’d deliver, was turned in late, and it’s rather short. Sorry, Charlie.
Last week, my computer had itself a little crash. Then, to pay for the repairs and the iPad I picked up while in the Apple store, I took on a little marathon of double shifts at work. Then, realizing I haven’t been twenty-years-old in over two decades, I had myself a little crash of my own.
Before all of that, I was feeling pretty good. Riding tall in the saddle, so to speak. Then life came along and knocked me off my perch.
My intentions were to climb right back up, but my brain and my body wouldn’t let me. Instead, I spent most of yesterday stumbling around the corral in a cloud of dust and fog. Things are only now beginning to settle and clear.
I guess I’m still not ready to grab the reins, stick my feet in the stirrups, and yell giddy-up, but I thought I should at least come out, pet the old mare, and feed her a few carrots. I know I’ll be riding again soon.
Sometimes, when life knocks us out of the saddle, maybe it’s unrealistic to expect ourselves to climb right back up and spur things on to a full gallop, but we can at least approach the horse.
Charlie’s note: Given that I haven’t posted in a week because I’ve fallen out of the saddle in a different way, this post was a perfect reflection of the power of acknowledging that you are where you are, but you’re showing up nonetheless. “Fall down seven, stand up eight” – even if you’re a little wobbly when you get back up.
short + ever so powerful – so nice to know that i’m not the only one not galloping right now… setting the intention to approach and take one small step is so much more liberating than an all-or-nothing mindset. now, where do i find a horse??
Is it ever really all or nothing?
Nice analogy, Ken
I understand your approach, but once I’m kicked-off the saddle – I need to jump right back into it – I luv drastic and dramatic action, and going slow hasn’t helped my life so far.
And, in my case, neither has running my “horse” to death. As it turns out, I,m not just tired. My fatigue is the symptom of a bug that’s going around. I intend to take whatever time I need to take care of myself. Dramatic action will just have to wait.
I hear ya.
I’ve learned that when I get into a lull, or a funk, or a rough patch – whatever you call it – I have to let it happen. If I freak out over it, and wonder how I suddenly turned from Captain Awesome into Screwy McScrewup, it lasts twice as long.
So, what I’m saying is, I think it’s OK not to jump right back on the horse. You can rub your sore ass for a little bit and say, “not today, horsey.”
Thanks, Ibel. I laughed out loud at the names Captain Awesomeand Screwy McScrewup.
Started a small blog a few weeks ago, and after the flurry of initial activity, there was a week where I dropped off. Lucky for me, I am not even IN my 20’s yet and full of inspiration from my resolve.
Thanks for the great reminder that it’s okay to rest every once in a while.
Thanks, Paul.
The truth is I had no choice but to rest. I would start dozing off about thirty seconds into anything I attempted to do. Feeling much more human today, thank goodness.
good point Ken
the slowly but surely approach works provided that the person knows exactly the right actions he should do
thanks:)
Hate to say it, but I don’t think I’ve ever known exactly the right actions I should do. I just do the ones I can think of.