We are good at living in our heads, grinding our thoughts to dust. In my own case, I want to make sure that I have thought through all the possibilities and potential outcomes before I come to a decision.
But honestly, there’s a time and place for everything. While taking a walk, I found myself in such a state. Thinking about some issue that needed to be resolved, I ignored what should have been clear.
After all, there’s a time to be deep in thought and a time to be keenly aware of your circumstances and it’s up to us to know which is which.
My walk took me onto narrow paths, strewn with branches, rocks and other obstacles. Yet, I walked on, sorting, thinking and focused on the issue du jour.
As I progressed on my walk, my introspection deepened (I should have recognized the warning signs). In retrospect, I saw the acorns strewn all over the path. I should have been more present to my surroundings.
A gust of wind unleashed a hail of acorns, rousing me from my thoughts. They bounced off my head and shoulders, chasing my deep thoughts to the sidelines where they belonged. A worthy wake-up call to pay attention.
Sometimes, it takes a hail of acorns to properly arrange and adjust your behaviors. It’s easy to get lost in your head, but frankly, being in the moment is a lot safer and more productive.
Chapter X is a time of transition and requires your appropriate focus and consideration. It requires you to view the landscape and assess all the factors that can be a threat to your safety and wellbeing.
Don’t lose sight of your health, your finances, your family, your community and what provides the greatest satisfaction. And most importantly, avoid oak trees in the fall.
