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Bertha says that lessons come in threes for a reason…I’m usually not paying attention the first two times…thanks Bertha for the vote of confidence…but…she’s probably right…
Take yesterday for instance…my daughter was here for a local trail run…so of course I went along for a stroll in the woods and to cheer her on…
My first lesson encounter was right after we got there…I was on my way back from the Porta-Potty (don’t you love them)…when I noticed a group of handsome young men stretching and getting ready…one stood out from the group…he had this little band around his head…and the hair above it was all spiked…and kind of odd looking…I brushed it off to metro styles…but wondered why he’d take the time to do all that and then run through the woods for an hour or so…
My daughter later explained to me that it was a cap…she even pulled up a picture on her phone of a friend wearing one…I felt a little foolish…
Lesson encounter number two came after the racers had left my view…and like a good lizard…I was headed toward a sunny spot. There was this youngish woman in front of me…she had on one of those flappy, animal caps that are popular with the younger set…and the cutest little jeans, pink sweater, and swede boots…she was taking pictures of the delightful fall scenery…and all was well…until she turned around…and she had a full mustache and beard…
I was taken aback…I hope my mouth wasn’t gapping as I turned and headed down a trail…feeling shocked…
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| See how easy it looked? |
Lesson encounter number three came at the end of the 5K…when my daughter came floating over the finish line…first in her age group…it looked so easy…she wasn’t even that sweaty…it was only a 5K…not the 15 she normally would have run if she’d had more time…I felt smug with pride…
Later in the afternoon, when Bertha and I were alone again, she asked me what I’d learned that day…I couldn’t think of anything…so she was happy to point out to me…that I had been jumping to conclusions…based solely on appearances…and reminded me of the three learning encounters I’d had…
Okay…I got the first two…but not the third…that’s when she ‘splained to me that while this particular race was easy for my daughter…it wasn’t effortless…she didn’t just get off the couch after a three year nap and start running…she’s spent years conditioning and training…
Of course she was right…nothing was quite as I had seen it…maybe I need new glasses…she says a new perspective is more like it…more time in the contemplation chair…geez…
Jane
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Oh brother does this strike a cord. I see what's in front of me most of the time without giving it a thought, or a second look. Case in point: There's a man who comes in the store. He's dirty (obviously a hard worker) and mild mannered. On first glance I thought ewwww…after deciding to watch him, I saw him leave the store and give a stray dog some food from his groceries. My rose-colored glasses were removed that day. Thank goodness! Now we are friends, and I'm always delighted to see him come in the store. We chat and exchange how our day is going, etc, and let me tell you, this man is one of the kindest individuals that has been my privilege to know. So now you know…the rest of the story, Paul.
And a very insightful story it is…thanks for sharing.
It's a lesson that I am working on…and Bertha keeps finding opportunites for me to do just that…isn't that the way?