Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Stone Mountain, lessons and savored moments

- I had to go back to my blog archive from the fall of 2007 to find this photo. It was taken with my phone one day, during a period of unemployment, after a walk around this granite mountain - called Stone Mountain. There's a sidewalk all the way around it, multiple attractions within its park and many people climb it - some every day.

- My friend Ronnie closes his veterinary office for lunch, drives to this park and walks up the mountain, runs back down, runs back up and walks down. Five days a week - I'm exhausted just writing about it. But he is the most fit man I know at the age of 60.

- My friend Janice* and I had a conversation about my race training plan early last spring and so she gave me a folded piece of paper at church the other day, saying it made her think of me. I fished it out of my purse yesterday and read it, just before leaving work for the day. It was this article - I have found it online, first printed in January 2011 in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. I shared it with a coworker and posted it in my cubicle - to be read every day. I love its life lessons and her main points:

Lesson One: There is big value in feeling small.

Lesson Two: Everyone needs to stand on top of something.

Lesson Three: Some moments are meant to be savored, not seized by the lapels.


Ahhh - that third one is my favorite. So after a not particularly good day, I felt a renewed sense of how much I have in my life and went on my way.

* p.s. I emailed Janice to thank her for the article and she replied, "I can't remember if I told you but I had the big 50 birthday this year, and after reading the article, decided to walk up Stone Mountain 50 times. I have completed 23, maybe tonight will be 24 if the weather permits."

15 comments:

G. B. Miller said...

I agree, some moments are meant to be savored.

For as long as possible.

Maude Lynn said...

I love Lesson Three, too!

Sara said...

Lynn,

WOW. I loved that article. I copied this line, "Sometimes I’m so busy maximizing every moment, I lose sight of this cardinal rule: When it comes to life, you must be present to win."

The cardinal rule is so good and a wonderful reminder to find times to live "in our present life."

Thanks for sharing this, Lynn:~)

happygirl said...

I like feeling small. I guess 'cause I don't think I'm small enough. :)

LL Cool Joe said...

I lost the internet for a day so I'm catching up.


I definitely savoured the moment when I got on-line again!

Feeling small can make one do BIG things!

Fireblossom said...

I do not run unless being chased by a grizzly bear. No exceptions!

Sparkling Red said...

That is a great article. Too bad there aren't more mountains like Stone Mountain.

Riot Kitty said...

Lesson 2 is my favorite ;)

Cloudia said...

Thank YOU for sharing this wisdom-





Aloha from Honolulu

Comfort Spiral

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Lynn said...

G -

Absolutely.

Mama Zen -

My favorite!

Sara -

I'm so glad you read the article - it meant so much to me. And that is a great line, isn't it?

Glad you are back - I missed you.

happygirl -

She didn't mean physical smallness in the article. But I understand what you mean.

Joe -

You are probably right!

Lynn said...

FB -

Well that's a good reason to run - being chased by a grizzly bear. I hope that never happens to you. :)

Sparkling Red -

I am so glad you read it! Stone Mountain has been called one of the wonders of the world - its granite outcroppings pop up all over town. I imagine there are places people hike or climb akin to that anywhere though.

Riot Kitty -

A great one. I like that, too.

Cloudia -

Thanks for reading!

Granny Annie said...

1.) and the reverse is equally good: there is small value in feeling big.

2.) I learn this from my goats and chickens who hang out on the highest point in our field.

3.) A lesson I had to teach my spouse when he literally seized a person by the lapels. (It was well deserved but scary indeed.)

Lynn said...

Granny Annie -

Your husband sounds like a character!

Snaggle Tooth said...

I'm behind on commenting this week! But I usually do it every day.
Cool idea to stay fit n feel accomplished. A reason to try is a good thing!

Lynn said...

Snaggle -

I'm behind, too! I always appreciate that you come by. Thanks for that.