On Track

What sort of track is your life on? Some folks I’ve known are clearly on the circular one that repeats mistakes endlessly. They never seem to learn. It may be worse if they have enough self-understanding to realize it, but not enough to break the habits.

Then I’ve known those who fight valiantly and ease the circle into something more like an elliptical track. Watching them is like watching one of the old-time movies about fighter or bomber pilots in WWII. You find yourself shouting “Pull up, Pull Up!!!” Just before the impact.

I’m not just an observer of these lifestyles. I’ve lived them. And I deeply sympathize with people stuck in those patterns. For me, growing emotional maturity, therapy, a loving relationship, and struggle made the difference. Oh yeah, more than a bit of prayer was involved when it came to breaking the bonds that nicotine and alcohol had on me. Am I all in the clear? I’m not sure that any of us ever are totally.

Research into the problems did very little good. I’ve had friends who felt that knowing all there is to know about an issue gives you a “get out of jail free” card. Good luck.

The way out of the jungle frequently requires heavy work clearing the path, avoiding the pitfalls – really doing the work – not just sitting in the armchair talking about it. I’ll just leave off with one of my favorite quotes:

“Experience is a good school. But the fees are high” ― Heinrich Heine