For as long as I can remember my sister has had a keen sense of direction. I swear you could blind fold her and leave her in the middle of nowhere and she would find her way home. I think she got that from my Dad. I on the other hand am directionally challenged and would have a hard time finding my way out of a paper bag. When I first got my drivers’ license, I called my dad numerous times to ask him for directions, even though I had no idea where I actually was. GPS is one of the greatest inventions of all time. Without it, I think I'd still be going in circles.
Jack inherited Gayle's awesome sense of geography. At 3, he figures out where we are and where we are going, and he has an opinion about it. He tells us he wants to go "that way," or "up the hill.” The other morning I drove carpool to school. We came to a busy intersection without a stoplight. Sometimes you can get right through. Other times, usually when we are running a little late and there is a lot of traffic, it takes a few minutes to get across. We were waiting at the stop sign and out of nowhere, Jack says, "Mommy, you can't park here." We all thought it was hysterical and then we explained that when you drive, it's like when you walk, and you have to stop and look both ways before you cross the street so that you don't get hit by a car. That explanation made total sense to him and he told me when he thought I could safely cross the street.
Jack inherited Gayle's awesome sense of geography. At 3, he figures out where we are and where we are going, and he has an opinion about it. He tells us he wants to go "that way," or "up the hill.” The other morning I drove carpool to school. We came to a busy intersection without a stoplight. Sometimes you can get right through. Other times, usually when we are running a little late and there is a lot of traffic, it takes a few minutes to get across. We were waiting at the stop sign and out of nowhere, Jack says, "Mommy, you can't park here." We all thought it was hysterical and then we explained that when you drive, it's like when you walk, and you have to stop and look both ways before you cross the street so that you don't get hit by a car. That explanation made total sense to him and he told me when he thought I could safely cross the street.
Seriously though, what 3 year old pays attention to where you park and if it's a good place? I know many adult drivers who park without any consideration as to whether they have chosen an appropriate spot. We've all seen people park in construction zones, handicapped spots when they don't qualify, and on streets during snow storms when there is a parking ban. I recently got into a heated argument with a TSA official at the Nashville airport when I was trying to wait in a "loading / unloading zone" for a co-worker I knew was on her way after collecting her things at baggage claim. I proceeded to load and unload my own suitcase and laptop bag while I waited for her just so I was following the rules - well, sort of following the rules - LOL!
Physically and metaphorically, we all "park" in spots we know we should not. It may be a job we've outgrown, weight we can't lose, debt we can't pay off, or a class we've given up in because the teacher is horrible and we'll never understand it anyway. I can think of dozens of examples. We stop moving forward because we think the effort won't make a difference, we blame others or other circumstances, we blame ourselves. Sometimes it's painful or uncomfortable to shift out of park and into first gear. Sometimes you have to go in reverse before you have the opportunity to advance forward. At the end of the day, where we park or if we park at all, are decisions we have to make on our own. I am learning that is true especially with our kids, as I prepare to turn the keys over to Nick (with supervision of course).
Sometimes you have to park, or rest for awhile because you have no choice, or to benefit someone else. I have always been one to work out my problems in a kinesiological fashion. Some people like to talk or write to work out their issues, and given my profession it's somewhat comical that I don't think those conduits necessarily work for me. I need physical movement. In my early life that was dance, more recently that need has been fulfilled through running or spinning. Due to just generally feeling lousy lately, being huge, and dealing with pregnancy-related migraines, I have had to back off my normal workout routine considerably. I am stressed and overwhelmed without that outlet, but fortunately for me, it's only temporary. It gives me great appreciation for people who are permanently deprived of activities they love.
Even though I may be physically parked more than I’d like to be, I am trying to move forward in other ways. There are always lots of things that need to be done whether at home or at work. It is hard to resist the temptation to check out and just do what is minimally required when you are tired and grumpy. I know that I will feel better if I can find even little ways to keep moving in the coming weeks.
Physically and metaphorically, we all "park" in spots we know we should not. It may be a job we've outgrown, weight we can't lose, debt we can't pay off, or a class we've given up in because the teacher is horrible and we'll never understand it anyway. I can think of dozens of examples. We stop moving forward because we think the effort won't make a difference, we blame others or other circumstances, we blame ourselves. Sometimes it's painful or uncomfortable to shift out of park and into first gear. Sometimes you have to go in reverse before you have the opportunity to advance forward. At the end of the day, where we park or if we park at all, are decisions we have to make on our own. I am learning that is true especially with our kids, as I prepare to turn the keys over to Nick (with supervision of course).
Sometimes you have to park, or rest for awhile because you have no choice, or to benefit someone else. I have always been one to work out my problems in a kinesiological fashion. Some people like to talk or write to work out their issues, and given my profession it's somewhat comical that I don't think those conduits necessarily work for me. I need physical movement. In my early life that was dance, more recently that need has been fulfilled through running or spinning. Due to just generally feeling lousy lately, being huge, and dealing with pregnancy-related migraines, I have had to back off my normal workout routine considerably. I am stressed and overwhelmed without that outlet, but fortunately for me, it's only temporary. It gives me great appreciation for people who are permanently deprived of activities they love.
Even though I may be physically parked more than I’d like to be, I am trying to move forward in other ways. There are always lots of things that need to be done whether at home or at work. It is hard to resist the temptation to check out and just do what is minimally required when you are tired and grumpy. I know that I will feel better if I can find even little ways to keep moving in the coming weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment