| tough questions.
there's an old guy at the gym who works out every day without ceasing. i have to give him credit - i'm probably 1/3 his age and i have a hard time forcing myself to go to the gym right now... when i'm his age i'll probably be sitting on a couch stuffing my face with chicken pot pies, not lifting weights. regardless. he displays really bad form when working out, which really worries me. for instance when he does lat pulldowns, he pulls the bar behind his neck which is already bad - but he also throws his whole body into it and yanks down in such a way that i'm genuinely afraid his back is going to get thrown out. part of me wants to walk over and urge him to drop down to a lower weight so that he wont hurt himself, but the other part of me doesnt want to cross that unspoken rule of not commenting on other people's workout form at the gym... it's kind of rude. i was going to say that there's a really small part of me that gets some enjoyment out of watching him thrash around wildly but that's not true... i am honestly concerned for his well being.
what to do?
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| fall slash winter.
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| giving thanks.
I'm not usually the type of person to be annoyed by lines, but today was different. I had on my cold-weather combo of hoody + wool M65, which was dumb because the weather was surprisingly warm today. The post office was even warmer... sweltering, even. Thus, juggling 3 packages and all my heavy clothes became quite the task. I resorted to carrying my jacket and hoody in one hand, two packages in the other, and kicking the box along the ground until it was my turn to reach the service window.
With the line behind me 30+ deep, I finally stepped to the counter and put my packages up for weighing. I was ready to get in, get out of the sauna of the post office and get on with my day.
The clerk was glad to see that all my packages were properly addressed, sealed and all customs forms were completed. His relieved "my man!" told me that it had probably been a long day already - and it was only 11 in the morning. His supervisor came by to ask him to see a customer after he was done with me, to which he agreed. After she left, he looked at me and said "She fine - I'll see any customer she wants" with a little laugh. As l looked over, I saw him wearing a wedding band. He said "Don't get me wrong I am married but the trouble is I love that <insert term for female genitalia here>." I chucked and he continued. "I'm 50+ but I got married only 5 years ago - and it was good that I did because a guy like me, I needed to experience a lot nahmean? I like that variety."
I replied: "I'm married too and I hear where you are coming from. It's a daily battle for me too, but what keeps me on track is the fact that I love my wife." He started nodding - "No I hear you bro. My wife is good for me - and she FINE too!" Reaching into his back pocket, he took out a picture of his wife for me to see. She is indeed beautiful. I told him that I am motivated to stay on point every day because my wife gives me her best, and she deserves the best from me. After a short pause, he looked me straight in the eye. "Truth," he said.
He put a package on the scale. "$18.80 to Australia, there in 5 days. Cool?" I nodded.
I told him about my wife. How I run my own business and how it was her that pushed me to take the leap of faith to quit my day job and give the business my full-time attention. About how she is my pillar and how she inspires me and pushes me to do the best I can. About how she sincerely believes that the company can make it - not on some dream chasing nonsense, but that she honestly thinks it will work out. He responded, "No I hear you - she's not being naive, but her support is based on actual facts and what she knows, not emotion." He continued: "I tell you man, when the Creator puts you together with the right person, you just know. Having the right wife makes you want to be a better person."
He finishes processing my other two packages and swipes my card.
"You know - if it weren't for God giving me my wife, I wouldn't be the man I am today" I told him. He broke out into a huge smile, extended his hand and shook mine. "You have a good day now, you hear?" I wished God's blessing upon him and headed out the door.
If anyone asks me what I'm most thankful for, there's no doubt in my mind. |
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| the legendary roots crew.
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