The Stumble Sprint of My Life

You feel good.  Although it may have been a while, getting outdoors with others has transformed your inner child from the chubby fat boy in "The Kid" into Jaden Smith's version of "The Karate Kid."

Internally you are commanding, "JARVIS, fire the thrust boosters," as you take off after the flirty girl of your dreams who is taunting you to chase her.  Your initial acceleration is only surpassed by the glint of joy in your eye as your limbs respond immediately hurtling toward your inevitable conquest.

But by the second step your Iron Man suit has sprung a leak and your momentum begins to tumble you forward in a sprawl.  You suddenly realize you not only aren't Iron Man, but not even up to matching the equivalent of a real life Robert Downey Jr strung out before rehab.  And your hopes of peacocking before your promised paramour plummet as your formerly rosy cheeks are BeDazzled by bits of gravel and grass from a close up with the obstacle course of clay.

That would be a sprint stumble.

And that also could be the story of my life were I not a begrudging optimist with a memory shorter than Fred MacMurray.  (URL links provided for people younger than the age of 45.)

But very few of us are cowardly enough to simply give up and lay down in our new mattress of mud.  The only thing more impressive than showing prowess is demonstrating the ability to perform under pain.  And although the mental anguish seems indomitable, the Oscar worthy performance of acting like it was nothing more than a flea bite on an elephant is at least a salvageable goal.  And what we hope they will see as  the true definition of our character.

Sure, I'd like her to think my physical prowess exceeds that of Dwayne "Rock" Johnson even if I have to explain my biceps are the "strong stringy type" to avert direct comparisons.  We WANT to be the protector and want these woman to know that we aren't just wild at heart but can actually BE their Braveheart.

But hopefully we've become wise enough to understand that:

A) She will be more impressed with virtues of determination, perseverance and fearlessness, and,
B) We wouldn't WANT a woman who would settle for flexing muscularity over character.

And I think most women have finally figured that out too (or at least I pray to God in my case they have!)

But in life, the sequential stumbles can take it's toll.  Especially when our dreams seemed to no longer be in eye shot or worse - seem to have abandoned us for a more worthy suitor.

 And this is where you have a choice on how you will navigate your life.

Some will decide to run in the opposite direction.  Some will walk more slowly and inspect every rock in front of them.

Me?  I still sprint.

I've learned that not only do I get better at balancing my life, but I also get stronger legs.

Sure, I take a breather from time to time and even do a bit of sight seeing. 

But I've learned my first objective is to catch the girl.  Then I'll worry whether she was impressed or not.

My stumble sprint of a life.