Bobbing for life

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Nelson Mandela

Image from blog parnormalknowledge.com

There are bound to be hills on the journey.
Some paths are straight, clearly marked, and due to a happy accident,
you happen to be wearing appropriate shoes for the terrain.
Other trails are curvy, steep, confusing,
and the fact you wore heels on a hike is a un-happy accident waiting to happen.

The road is unpredictable and just when you think you might have things under control -
you fall.

As soon as you hit the ground, you can't help but think -
" Why did I go this way?" - "How foolish for me to try this route."

Without walking the path,
there's no way we'd ever learn about scuffed knees, bruised hearts or scenic overlooks.
Pain has a way of getting a message across that other sensations don't.

It's like reaching across a hot stove,
or touching a pan that blisters fingers to the touch -
you aren't apt in trying that trick again.
But, sometimes we do.

Even though we are bruised by falls and blistered by the heat of life's kitchen -
we still have to get up.

Even if all we are trying to do is take one small step towards healing
by grasping the hand of recovery -
we still need to try.

When you bob for apples, you don't get a juicy prize on every turn.
You miss the apple, and your face gets drenched -
but that won't keep you from trying to play the game.
Will it?

Go ahead, try again. Reach out, take that hand.
Put on your hiking shoes, because the road is a little rough ahead -
but the adventure to be had is sweeter than October-picked apples.

Tart, tangy, mellow, sweet or crisp - these are the flavors of life's journey.
There's no way of knowing whats beneath the skin of the apple,
if we aren't willing to take a bite.

Crunch!

T.L. Eastman October 2011