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challenges
July 2009 
Being in the moment
Posted on Jul 25th, 2009
by 
R George Merrill
R George Merrill
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for July 25, 2009:
Today is the 21st birthday of my oldest daughter. We have
some great mountain trails near our home and my daughter
has been inviting me to go jogging with her on these trails.
In my younger years running mountain trails was a very important
part of my daily routine. However over the last couple of years
I have allowed other seemingly "more pressing" tasks to replace
that time. For now I won't get into those "important" tasks that's a whole
different discussion.
My older children have been passing on some playful jibs and jabs
about the present condition of my physic but I have chosen to retain
the mental impression of my body of a good five years ago. So I brush off
what they have been saying.
Any way, today I thought I would go on a trail run with my daughter
since it was her birthday. Spend some daddy daughter time. Plus
I thought It be nice to show her how the old man still isn't as old
as she thinks I am.
Well about five minutes into the run I could quickly tell that maybe
my daughter has a more realistic concept of my age and abilities
than I have. Years of sitting in front of a computer all day in an
air-conditioned office has taken its toll on the condition of my
body. My legs didn't have the explosive power they used to have
and I was literally pouring sweat. Embarrassed I sent my daughter
up the trail so I could slow down and walk part of the way as well.
She offered to slow down but I felt like I had to lick my wounds
alone so I sent her on.
Here's the kicker, because of my ego I sacrificed a perfect time
to explain to my daughter that "I was going to have to take some
time to work up to her pace so if she didn't mind walking a bit
with me maybe we could take advantage of the slower pace
and chat about things" I know she would have loved to do that.
What an opportunity it would have been to create a moment and
actually share that moment with my daughter. I have an extremely
busy mind, it is rarely where my body is. My wonderful wife knows
me all to well and can tell in a New York second when I'm not there.
Being in the here and now and living that moment is by far
my biggest problem with listening.
some great mountain trails near our home and my daughter
has been inviting me to go jogging with her on these trails.
In my younger years running mountain trails was a very important
part of my daily routine. However over the last couple of years
I have allowed other seemingly "more pressing" tasks to replace
that time. For now I won't get into those "important" tasks that's a whole
different discussion.
My older children have been passing on some playful jibs and jabs
about the present condition of my physic but I have chosen to retain
the mental impression of my body of a good five years ago. So I brush off
what they have been saying.
Any way, today I thought I would go on a trail run with my daughter
since it was her birthday. Spend some daddy daughter time. Plus
I thought It be nice to show her how the old man still isn't as old
as she thinks I am.
Well about five minutes into the run I could quickly tell that maybe
my daughter has a more realistic concept of my age and abilities
than I have. Years of sitting in front of a computer all day in an
air-conditioned office has taken its toll on the condition of my
body. My legs didn't have the explosive power they used to have
and I was literally pouring sweat. Embarrassed I sent my daughter
up the trail so I could slow down and walk part of the way as well.
She offered to slow down but I felt like I had to lick my wounds
alone so I sent her on.
Here's the kicker, because of my ego I sacrificed a perfect time
to explain to my daughter that "I was going to have to take some
time to work up to her pace so if she didn't mind walking a bit
with me maybe we could take advantage of the slower pace
and chat about things" I know she would have loved to do that.
What an opportunity it would have been to create a moment and
actually share that moment with my daughter. I have an extremely
busy mind, it is rarely where my body is. My wonderful wife knows
me all to well and can tell in a New York second when I'm not there.
Being in the here and now and living that moment is by far
my biggest problem with listening.
Access: Public
Oh, Mercy, it is so hard to admit ourselves that we are not the same body we were 10 or 15 years ago. Then to try to keep that facade up for the children, Whooh! My vanity will get me hurt some day trying to be 30 again. I'm sure if you ask her nicely, your adult daughter will be glad to take that walk with you again and find time for a little chat. Can't talk while you're jogging or I never could.
George,
I applaud your inner sense of truth,Im sure your daughter will too,
it takes guts to reach it even a minute after ''the moment''…