Those Darned Little Things…
Not Felix and Oscar by any stretch, but enough of an ‘odd couple’ to induce pause for serious reflection. Perhaps the greatest ‘take-away’ from this current journey for this constant wanderer has been the coming to terms with those pesky little differences between every single human being with every other. Nothing profoundly or blatantly obvious to point to, just those insidious little things that when left unattended over time can seem to become much more significant than they really are.
This would prove to be a lesson requiring re-learning… yet again… That well-worn path had been trod many times before, but with always the same conclusion: Each of us must learn to overlook the picky little actions or statements of others when they make no difference to amount to anything in the broader scheme of things.
Those irritants should never be left unaddressed at some level, however, as they will only smolder or fester over time. A little bur under our blanket can become a major irritation in time if we don’t control and/or consciously direct our thinking through self-talk control…!
Self-talk, those inaudible thoughts and exchanges we have with ourselves, where we take a subject and run with it. For example: “Damn, I left an article of clothing in the way, and he snorted about it. Hey, I didn’t do that on purpose just to annoy you, buckeroo! Heck, I didn’t even realize I’d dropped it… It’s not my fault that you’re annoyed…”
When our self-talk is consumed with fault finding or blame avoidance, if we diligently seek ways to excuse our own actions or explain away their consequences, we’re not actually focused upon the problem itself or possible remedies. If instead our self-talk went another way, like for instance: “I need to be more aware that everything I do has consequences; that everything I take for granted may not be seen the exact same way another might view them; that getting along isn’t only ‘his’ responsibility, I have a big share in that, too…” Then, the course of events might just take on an entirely different complexion…
In my most recent post I mentioned that Greg has never before been on a true road trip, nor has he ever traveled with another in the way people do on such outings. He surely does appear to be enjoying this venture of ours, however, and my guess is this will not be his last! I must admit there have been some things along the way that have even sparked a twinge of momentary delight in this cranky old relic of another era…
At an unlikely stop out in the middle of nowhere, I actually found some bacon!
post images Our newbie was so awed, he wanted his presence documented also…
Having spent his entire life along the eastern seaboard of the USA, he’s finding ‘mountains’ totally amazing! He asked that I take that to him amazing shot for him…
Hard to get your finger just right for a shot like this…
Our newbie has discovered a whole new world to explore and savor! I told him I think it might be a good idea for us to return via the Blue Ridge Parkway… I think he’ll be absolutely blown away by that experience!
gif upload site Our newbie Valk rider is proving to be an earnest student of the road trip pursuit. He is also proving to be sensitive to things beyond his own immediate actions. His life has been far different than the one experienced by this observer of such things, therefore nearly all of his views, perspectives, and thoughts on any topic are quite different to some degree from my own in many, if not most, ways. He is interested in accommodation, however, so I can see subtle ways in which he is studiously watching and learning as we go along. I’m always impressed whenever I spot that!
It does strike this curious, ponderous ponderer as quite ironic, though, that of the two of us, the veteran and the newbie, it is the vet who seems to be learning the most from our time together!
DDT
