Have you ever laid in a hammock? Today I am enjoying a beautiful fall day as I lay in our backyard hammock. It almost feels like floating. A slight breeze caresses my face. Our cat Peachy curls up in the grass close by where I can reach out and pet her. Life is so good!
As I rock ever so gently back and forth, I recall another day when I was enjoying the wonders of hammock relaxation. On that particular day, I had a different experience. It was also a lovely day. I was minding my own business being totally absorbed in the beauty of the blue sky highlighted by perfectly white clouds when suddenly I fell crashing to the ground. Ouch!
It was a rude awakening to be sure. Fortunately, we keep the hammock low to the ground so I only fell about 12 inches, but it hurt! I was amazed at the force of gravity which becomes more and more impressive as I age.
My reaction to the sudden fall could have been anger at the frayed rope. I could have chosen to hate hammocks and never sit, or lay, in one again. After all, I had hurt me. Why chance more pain?
Don't we all experience pain out of the blue when we least expect it? We all fall in different ways throughout our lives. It seems to be hardwired into our life's experience to have falls of some kind or other. What we do in response to life's challenges is what we have the greatest choice in. We can learn from the fall and make it work for our good in some way. We can pretend we didn't fall. We can hold on to negative emotions and never let go of how awful it felt to fall. Responses to disruptions in our lives are as numerous as there are people to respond. If we are to live happily we must find ways to respond to life's challenges with hope.
As you already know, I took my chances with the hammock again. I took care of what I had control over by getting a better connecting rope and checking the equipment regularly to insure everyone's safe use of it. Then I didn't worry about what I couldn't control. I trusted life, so whether I am floating or falling I can enjoy it all!
As I rock ever so gently back and forth, I recall another day when I was enjoying the wonders of hammock relaxation. On that particular day, I had a different experience. It was also a lovely day. I was minding my own business being totally absorbed in the beauty of the blue sky highlighted by perfectly white clouds when suddenly I fell crashing to the ground. Ouch!
It was a rude awakening to be sure. Fortunately, we keep the hammock low to the ground so I only fell about 12 inches, but it hurt! I was amazed at the force of gravity which becomes more and more impressive as I age.
My reaction to the sudden fall could have been anger at the frayed rope. I could have chosen to hate hammocks and never sit, or lay, in one again. After all, I had hurt me. Why chance more pain?
Don't we all experience pain out of the blue when we least expect it? We all fall in different ways throughout our lives. It seems to be hardwired into our life's experience to have falls of some kind or other. What we do in response to life's challenges is what we have the greatest choice in. We can learn from the fall and make it work for our good in some way. We can pretend we didn't fall. We can hold on to negative emotions and never let go of how awful it felt to fall. Responses to disruptions in our lives are as numerous as there are people to respond. If we are to live happily we must find ways to respond to life's challenges with hope.
As you already know, I took my chances with the hammock again. I took care of what I had control over by getting a better connecting rope and checking the equipment regularly to insure everyone's safe use of it. Then I didn't worry about what I couldn't control. I trusted life, so whether I am floating or falling I can enjoy it all!
RSS Feed
