I got a text message the other day from a number I didn’t recognize. All it said was:
Who R U?
I didn’t respond, of course. As Admiral Akbar said, “It’s a trap!” The sender was either confused/wrong or it was some kind of scam. Either way, not worthy of a response.
But, it got me thinking as I near my next birthday. As I write this, I’m about 7 hours away from being 46.
Which, like most things I give any thought to, seems weird to me. Seems like a long time, but I don’t really feel like I’ve been around that long.
I try to take a zen approach to my days. Learning from the past, but not dwelling on it. Planning for the future, but not worrying about it. I try to be in the moment and instead of some kind of “Anthony, this is your life!” or “What do I want to be when I grow up,” my thoughts tonight instead go to the small circle of the days around me.
Yesterday was a busy day at work and I felt like I was being pullied in a hundred directions. But, I also got to swim after work and that mile in the pool washed all of the day away. I had a good burrito for dinner and went to Dick’s sporting goods for goggles. Watched a new tv show and got a good night’s sleep.
I slept in today and then spent the day reading a great book and playing video games. This afternoon I went to the Art Museum. My family was supposed to visit today, but the weather precluded that travel. I got to have dinner with Jim and his family since they are local and from there we went to World Market. I had a coupon for my birthday and got a calendar and some chocolate.
Tomorrow will be another quiet day, I hope. And then back to work on Monday to the first day of classes for the semester.
It’s not a huge or dramatic life, but it’s me. A little art, the easy repetition of laps in a pool, good books, and warm friendship.
My shoulders can be leaned on. My heart has plenty of room. And with my feet planted, I can feel the earth turn under me.
That’s a lot of introspection from a random text – and I think enough for tonight. I’ve got other stories to tell, but they can wait for another day.