Soul-Searching: Another Travelogue

(aka "Evolution Tell-All")

Back in my early years, it seemed common to enter college right out of high school (after a summer in between). I don't know the sociological statistics about how prevalent that was then as compared to now but that's my memory. University was usually far enough from home commuting was not an option. One lived on campus or locally to the school.
The truth, as I see it, we all live on campus, no matter where and when we are, at the University of Lifetime Learning and Hard Knocks (go Knights!* ).
                                          *yeah, like I ever said “go anything,” but do you have a mascot?

Everyone progresses at different rates, through various programs of study, Maybe an extremely deep-long dive through one field or perhaps more accumulating a wide palette of degrees. The truth, as I see it, we matriculate at birth and graduate as we exit this life, no exceptions. What happens in between is largely up to us.

The trouble (or one trouble), as I see it, how easy it is for acclimation, entrainment (spell check suggests entrancement, that works too), entropy, the “media” and the like to settle in. Complacency, couch potato-dom; curiosity wanes, the interest gaze dims. How many PhDs shrivel unborn, uncompleted?

Yes, this is me pontificating. There is, most assuredly, so much I don't see, don't know and frankly have forgotten. Really, all I've got is my story. This story is on my mind as I feel to be at a major life node. Perhaps you're at one too, anticipate or remember one. We all get to this point and if we're lucky, it's from time to time. Mine is an interesting intersection staged with at least a couple Lifetime Learning master's equivalencies under my belt. Oh how they let me think I know how it all works, what the various parts are and who's involved. Great, I'm ready to put that self-study PhD together!

Well, here's where the intersection part comes in. Often intersections come in the form of a plot twist. Honestly, where would we be without plot twists? We really wouldn't learn a darn thing otherwise. Plot twists are board exams in the guise of pop quizzes. Bang! Stand and deliver, NOW! Then you can move on to that next plan.

Well, guess what? While you were standing and delivering, the Facilities Department was hard at work, changing all the rooms, landscaping and furniture. They also may have torn down old buildings, re-routed the pathways and put up new structures. Did I mention a completely different cast of characters?

How supple do you feel now, after that intensive in Couch Potato? Adapt to Adept is the trajectory. Acclimated to how things used to be, can you bring what you've learned, as well application creativity to make your way ahead? Here's one of Life's Great Arts, the ability to be present with what is and maintain effective relationship with what was and what will be. “Define effective in this context, please.” Sure: connecting to past and future without being held captive by them. “Define Arts?” To quote the Kenny Rogers song, “...know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.”

---

Okay, an elaborate way to say we're all really just making it up as we go along. Make yours the very best you can! Why not?                                                                                                            HERE'S THE TELL-ALL PART:

I got a little enlightenment today about myself. And this is “got” in terms of light bulb finally blinking on over my head rather than my Amazon delivery showed up.

It's been coming on for a while now, noticing changes in how my hands work. At first an irritation, an annoyance. It would have been so easy to simply stop there and let my hands take a new role as adversary rather than facilitator. Or in my husband's words, “easier if it would make a difference.” Yes, we use language quite differently. I really don't want to go to war with myself or treat a part of me as recalcitrant. No good can come.

It honestly took longer that I care to admit for the connection to spark up that light bulb and bring a bit of enlightenment. I've made my way through life by my hands. Many decades now. Professional and avocational. Work and fun. I knew this but the new news was, they're TIRED!!! And here's me expecting them to continue as they have been, frankly without complaining or even a little gratitude.

Well, that's not right, is it? Time for some creative changes and care compassion. So there's my homework in the new curriculum, find ways to adjust who and how I am that encompass great consideration for these valiantly long-serving hands.   Dontcha think they're worth it? 

---

About time, I say! Let's stay in the long game.