We all have the need for stress relief. To me establishing a venue or means of escape from the world of mental bondage is critical for prevention of madness. That term may sound extreme but isn't that what bondage creates? My own paramount source of bliss is taking a long drive in my beat up old 1990 Mazda Miata convertible. I always wanted a convertible and so a few years back I bought one off of an ad on Facebook. It's a good little car that fits my shortness. I love it and hopefully it has the same sentiments for me. (Please.....laugh a little). Mine is MUCH less in "mint" condition than the one pictured. 😢
However, that is for me. This post deals in a little different direction but along the same lines of stress relief - running. If you are one of those fitness nuts that enjoys running (repent all of you!) you may associate with these feelings. I do my run/walk of about 3.47 miles "most" every day on the Wabash Trace in Southwest Iowa. Sure, for me a good walk is my secondary reliever of stress. Getting older fitness has taken a back seat. It's not like when I was a little younger and had my Taekwondo school. Anyhow, today being another drought-ridden sunny and hot day I did go for a "tiptoe through the tulips" out on the trace.
Though the complete Trace is 62 miles it is 3.47 round trip from our sports park to where it crosses a main highway. I used to be able to jog the complete 3.47, but being just a tad be portly around the 'ol waist in my more seasoned years I do more brisk walking than running. It is mostly paved and scenic with trees, vast areas of tall corn growing on each side and a bridge crossing the Nishnabotna River.
On this day, however, I was impressed by a older passerby on a bike ride on the Trace. As I passed her she cheered me on and encouraged me to continue the jog though I was gasping for air with each step. NOTE: I'm not that tall so it takes me double the steps as others to get to where I'm going 😂. This struck me at how important it is to encourage one another. Being an individual person offering the praise it uplifted as a mentor. I've mentioned before in other writings the need to address each other. Perhaps it is time to take it a step further and take upon yourself the subconscious title as mentor to someone else.
Also as I mentioned before, these writings are mostly for my own posterity sake and also because I love to write. So, I address this topic as a reminder to me the need to mentor or take someone under your wing. Yet, it is an outreach to others to do the same.
I am reminded of a time in my youth when this young man was very shunned and often made fun of in school. Dang! Now I'm reach back 35 years or so. Anyhow, being an extreme introvert I didn't do much to reach out. Looking back, how could I have been a better friend? How could I have uplifted his spirits just a little more? We all fall short from time to time in making a positive difference in others people's lives. Nevertheless, dwelling on the past is cancerous. Applying it to the future is everything.
Take these words for what it is. Apply it or crap it out. Whatever. My last words of wisdom for the day is to get your portly belly out of the house. Find a trail or even your own road. Take that long walk or run. Give it several minutes, raise your arms and see the people behind you gasping for air from the pollution of your pits (please laugh at the graphic picture😁😂😁😂).
As you can guess I love to laugh. In the words of a great Mongolian I bid you "arrivederci!" For those of you that know languages please laugh.........
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