Twice a day my dog Suki and I take a walk... exercise for me and release for her. For 18 and 3.5 years respectively it’s been the same route through the neighborhood. With such regularity, it’s really easy to get into “the zone”… Mommy and dog synchronizing steps and getting their groove on, at least until there’s something really exciting to sniff or stopping because it's time “to go”.
Last week was no different… until it happened.
Moseying along the other morning, the end of our 2.5 mile walk, with me looking forward to my second cup of coffee as I caught sight of our house, a sudden and jolting squish, squish!! Uck! All six of our feet instantly and completely submerged, sneakers soaked through to the socks, back of legs splattered, furry paws covered in this grey gritty matter… concrete.
WTH! Where did this come from?!
You see, the neighborhood has been going through a redevelopment since mid spring: roads ripped down to bare bones, sidewalks demolished or created (we have a lot of non-sidewalk areas), drainage systems removed and replaced, curbs being added where there were once none. Gigantic pieces of roadway equipment are spewed about everywhere, filling the streets like special edition Tonka trucks that a giant alien child forgot to put away.
For weeks, a little box has been laid out at my street corner: a wooden frame surrounding a shallow pit Suki could hop in and out of like a pony in a jumping competition. Granted, a big orange cone stood in front of it to warn passerbys of the work-in-progress but the area itself was empty and, after a few weeks, navigation became a habit.
On this particular morning, unbeknownst to us when we left the house, the worker-dude had just enough time to come by and fill this area with fresh, warm concrete. Being deeply focused in my walking zone, we charged right through into what we expected was an empty pit, not a mucky mess. The gritty splatter woke us up. What a mess we made.
All of this is a perfect example of how easy it is to concentrate so deeply on one thing that you become oblivious to the messages of change around you. Even with activities or attitudes that are beneficial, it's important to pull your head up every now and again to reassess and evaluate. Whether it's a work project that you're managing or a love relationship you're in, don't assume that things around you remain the same. Life changes when we're looking at it and when we're not looking at it. So stay focused and directed with your attention on those things that are positive and beneficial but don't disregard the changes around you that require adjustments.
And, by the way, later on our evening walk I noticed that all of the newly concreted street corners were safely wrapped with, not only orange cones, but also sticks and warning tape. Oblivious, in-the-zone people everywhere, were grateful.
Peace to you,
Shanti
Last week was no different… until it happened.
Moseying along the other morning, the end of our 2.5 mile walk, with me looking forward to my second cup of coffee as I caught sight of our house, a sudden and jolting squish, squish!! Uck! All six of our feet instantly and completely submerged, sneakers soaked through to the socks, back of legs splattered, furry paws covered in this grey gritty matter… concrete.
WTH! Where did this come from?!
You see, the neighborhood has been going through a redevelopment since mid spring: roads ripped down to bare bones, sidewalks demolished or created (we have a lot of non-sidewalk areas), drainage systems removed and replaced, curbs being added where there were once none. Gigantic pieces of roadway equipment are spewed about everywhere, filling the streets like special edition Tonka trucks that a giant alien child forgot to put away.
For weeks, a little box has been laid out at my street corner: a wooden frame surrounding a shallow pit Suki could hop in and out of like a pony in a jumping competition. Granted, a big orange cone stood in front of it to warn passerbys of the work-in-progress but the area itself was empty and, after a few weeks, navigation became a habit.
On this particular morning, unbeknownst to us when we left the house, the worker-dude had just enough time to come by and fill this area with fresh, warm concrete. Being deeply focused in my walking zone, we charged right through into what we expected was an empty pit, not a mucky mess. The gritty splatter woke us up. What a mess we made.
All of this is a perfect example of how easy it is to concentrate so deeply on one thing that you become oblivious to the messages of change around you. Even with activities or attitudes that are beneficial, it's important to pull your head up every now and again to reassess and evaluate. Whether it's a work project that you're managing or a love relationship you're in, don't assume that things around you remain the same. Life changes when we're looking at it and when we're not looking at it. So stay focused and directed with your attention on those things that are positive and beneficial but don't disregard the changes around you that require adjustments.
And, by the way, later on our evening walk I noticed that all of the newly concreted street corners were safely wrapped with, not only orange cones, but also sticks and warning tape. Oblivious, in-the-zone people everywhere, were grateful.
Peace to you,
Shanti
RSS Feed