Wednesday evening:
I watched several free documentaries this past week and a half, including The Secret Life of the Brain (2002 - yeah, I know, but it was like learning a little bit back in a simpler time).
In order to keep the viewer interested I imagine, each of the five episodes in the series focused on one to three problems that present in the brain, such as Alzheimer's in the elderly. I haven't usually watched such things outside of school, and watching real people who would have agreed to be filmed and 'got on with it' was like an 'on' switch for the heart-brain for awhile.
I did 'have' to share my attention between them and some noob-gaming though. Today has really made me wonder how much I need to balance visuals, sensory inputs and everything else in order to feel challenged/at least competent in brain-use. For example, I'm uncommonly good at ordering my movements (or 'pathfinding') between people on the street, and keeping an ear out or two. Maybe that's just a luxury of not being quite as distracted by my phone.
A problem did finally present itself today in the form of an aggressively-moving (I don't know how else to put it) young adult, with a few doubtless moments. Had I gone straight to the park where I met him, 2 hours earlier (instead of settling in for a game session for a bit), we may not have crossed paths. As it happened, he marched around the small park area performing energetic pull-ups, spitting water from the fountain, and twirling a large stick, which was eventually pointed a foot from my face. I told him embracingly (he had no English words for me or anyone else) that it was 'impressive' (what he had achieved - that is, prompting me to semi-calmly consider my mortality).
It's that sort of thing which makes me ask where my luck really comes from. I needed the cup of tea I made post-cleaning with Wheatbiscuit Senior, and what comes from the five minutes of drinking is often the formed habit of signing into some activity on my computer (reading a book, or my phone in bed risks spilling the tea I hold simultaneously). It seems like I'll eventually have to stop procrastinating with games - but it's not just daily workouts I'm doing that with; I'd like to master weekly chores (such as deep-cleaning on my own) and socialising, with the potential to make additional close friends. I just need to balance my need to relax/reset with mindful movements towards those goals.
In any case, I was as impressed with the young man's restraint (he didn't hit me or steal my backpack) as much as my own calm - especially as I only performed about 1/3 of the repetitions I wanted (low carbohydrate afternoon). So I walked back home at least having broken a sweat, saying to myself that I may as well maintain calm in the short to medium-term. I never really thought about projecting that consciously.
Well, that's all. Cleaning part two is due tomorrow. I wish for the strength to continue caring as much as today. 🙂 Peace, ~ Matt
Gratitude:
~ Mechanical yet kind interaction at another grocery store
~ Protein powder (and water) still tasted good (ice added)
~ Only one stress-added comment at the end of cleaning from WS 😛
~ Not being scarred by a stick/tree branch, and having enough breath left to say hello!
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wheatbiscuit ·
