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ACCEPTING LOVING REALITY

Friday Aug. 28, 2015

 

My mind is not old and creaky yet.

My body is not young and supple. I accept these realities.

Life’s big painful pylons seem to be avoiding me. My aches are of the heart, and ankles. Not solved – yet. They are to be endured, gotten through. They cannot be avoided. Lucky me.

My problems, not all solved. Well, not yet. No longer a flexible athletic youth (still, in my mind I think so), nimbly able – do anything without hurting.

I have this toe problem, forever knee issues. And one more golf game to cancel. When I walk/hobble awkwardly on sore ankle I feel pain in my big toe and in my knee. Still, I’m grateful, I’m better off by so far from the reality of so many.

Compared to all possible problems, I’m alright today.

My health, and that of those who matter in my life, is good. Compared to most earth’s inhabitants,  I’m extremely well off here – a safe place –where health care, freedom, clean smoky air, safe water are universal and free.

I can’t re-design my life. Or can I?

Some things hurt.

I feel pain.

Nature designed me.

Every part of everyone is connected to every part of everyone.

Is that true, are we all breathing air and drinking water that’s been inhaled and peed away many billions of times before?

Our planet only has so much of these commodities – water, air.

People, it would seem are not finite at all. We keep replacing ourselves, with more and more of ourselves. Improving mortality statistics, health, wealth, productivity – so many gains, but never enough, never fast enough.

OK then …


 

Mark Kolke

written / published from Calgary, AB

morning walk:  15C/59F, smoky conditions continue … wobbly/steady/slow walking, Gusta trying to go where here nose takes her and I was simply focused on short-leashing, keeping her close to the sidewalk

Reader feedback:

MOMENTUM IS NOT A WORD FOR MORE

Mark, Funny that you would even think about a happy ending. A happy ending is the conclusion to a life well lived, which you most certainly have. I agree about getting up and getting going (momentum) but sometimes it's not about movement - it's about sitting still I can't meditate to save my life and I'm not a mindful person, but there is beauty and happiness in every moment.  A flower, a laugh, a bargain. I know you see it too because you write about your walks. Enjoy your day, RP, Toronto, ON


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