I've been given that advice by coaches and friends for situations ranging from anger management to taking blows so hard while playing that my ears were ringing and I could see spots. Helmet? Nah. Doesn't go with the dress. Walk it off. It's good advice.
Evenings, around dusk, armed with earphones and a slapjack, I walk.The path varies from day to day winding through the cobblestones of Greater Downtown within The City Beautiful.
My state of mind dictates whether cobblestones become stepping stones or stumbling blocks. By the end of a typical day I am leaning into the wind both literally and figuratively. I exit my 9-5 with the days stress strapped between my shoulders. I begin my walk in this posture staring hard at the stones and re-playing the loops of the last 8 hours. Time passes, echoes fade and the sun draws my eyes upward toward the trees and the sky. The music soothes me. I step across the cobblestones and they pumice the day away.
I walk against my will. I still have to bully myself out the door. After 15 minutes of drudgery the walk takes over. The droning of my steps combined with the chill vibe in my headphones creates an awesome vibration and a lucid space for contemplation. Conversely, The City Beautiful, a.k.a. The City That Will Mow You Down and Never Look Back dictates that I stay fully present and in the moment. Maybe treading equidistant between bliss and obliteration will teach me to remain calm when the heat is on…and to always watch my back.
Speaking of heat, the trailer nears completion! Trailer, check. Refrigeration, check. Generator, check. Truck, check. The arrival of the oven is imminent with the exhaust system soon to follow…It’s time for a turn in the road…bring it!
