Rick, you inspire me, not only as a storyteller (what I wouldn't give to have your ability to seamlessly weave human perspective into a riveting story), but as someone looking to find folks with "shiny eyes," particularly a talented bodyworker/healer. (I'm going to ask around, pronto.) I knew you had a great story when I first heard about this, but you outdid yourself.
I'm waiting for your own next story my friend. The two themes here in your comment surface something I've been thinking about for a while now, which is the intersection between self-awareness/insight and our full-bodied presence. Healing in body is healing in mind, and the foundation of our best stories.
Lovely encounters . . . that require an open heart (or one in the process of opening) to recognize them as such (and to notice the inner luminescence that shines through the shiny eyes).
That's so fun you passed it along. I had to tell it in person a bunch of times to find the right threads to include, there's even more to the whole experience, like the other early morning stair worshippers I'm starting to get to know and how the presence of other climbers shifts what I'm capable of and motivated for. Human expertise can point us in the right direction, but it also takes a surrounding community engaged in the activity to keep you going as well. There's a bit of a stair cult following out there that makes running those steps contagious.
Such a fabulous story. I love how he broke through your narrative to restore what’s true for you. The gift of vision is invaluable however it shows up. So glad your knees are better.
Rick, I love how you created this masterful piece out of the story you shared with us. The thread of the shiny eyes from each of these two men is brilliant. But the thing that really touched me to the core is the photo at the end. Those huge sacks of garbage tossed aside in one day, you said, and this beautiful soul's "joy and mission" to clean it up stunned me. Thanks.
Thank you, Linda, that pile of garbage is one of many that pile up every day down on the beach. There are signs everywhere, asking people to take their garbage up the stairs with them when they leave, but they are largely unheeded. It is technically the parks board job to clean it up and I’m sure the staff are very happy they have the help of this man. They should be paying him, but he’s already getting paid in a form of meaning and self-esteem that transcends the system.
Wow this was so well written! I feel like you alone can make a medical appointment sound interesting. I do think people who love what they do are particularly exceptional at what they do. And that our mind and body are connected. Idk if I’d have the energy to run up and down those stairs every morning, so double kudos for to you for having faith and executing on it.
Thank you Michelle. Like so many things that are uncomfortable at first, if you get over the hump and into a routine, they become quite a joy. The early morning visits to the forest, the birds, and the exercise are now energy giving instead of energy taking. The article was an attempt to express gratitude for those helpful human nudges we get, and in general to call attention to how much we really do need each other to rise up to our best. Your comment here is part of the same weave and I thank you for joining my conversation, the kind words, and encouragement.
My pleasure! This is also making me want to push myself to go out to the beach more often and enjoy the nature here *just because*. I think you're right about the human nudges, sometimes there's a tiny barrier that we just need helping pushing through.
I had a similar experience and it felt so good when I finally found a therapist I could trust. It's what made me become a physical therapist.
I find that so many of my clients come in thinking they are broken. A big part of my role is helping people readjust their mindset so they can know they are fixable.
We've really got to pay attention to know the difference between the right time to move past our discomfort and the right time to stop pushing. I think that's the big upside of getting an expert eye on our problems and progress.
Rick, you inspire me, not only as a storyteller (what I wouldn't give to have your ability to seamlessly weave human perspective into a riveting story), but as someone looking to find folks with "shiny eyes," particularly a talented bodyworker/healer. (I'm going to ask around, pronto.) I knew you had a great story when I first heard about this, but you outdid yourself.
I'm waiting for your own next story my friend. The two themes here in your comment surface something I've been thinking about for a while now, which is the intersection between self-awareness/insight and our full-bodied presence. Healing in body is healing in mind, and the foundation of our best stories.
So true. It's funny, his shiny eyes made mine grow shiny as well (with happy tears). Loved this read Rick.
Thanks Ishan.
Lovely encounters . . . that require an open heart (or one in the process of opening) to recognize them as such (and to notice the inner luminescence that shines through the shiny eyes).
I like this. Framing it as having an opening heart rather than an open heart is more accurate to the reality of it as a process, not a static state.
The comments section is as much fun as the amazing wondrous story! "Stair worshippers". But now you got me.thinking about my knees
: ) If your knees have been giving you trouble there might be more hope for them than you knew.
I've shared this story with a bunch of people. Love it so much. And excited to watch you cycle well into triple digits!
That's so fun you passed it along. I had to tell it in person a bunch of times to find the right threads to include, there's even more to the whole experience, like the other early morning stair worshippers I'm starting to get to know and how the presence of other climbers shifts what I'm capable of and motivated for. Human expertise can point us in the right direction, but it also takes a surrounding community engaged in the activity to keep you going as well. There's a bit of a stair cult following out there that makes running those steps contagious.
Part 2: The Stair Cult
Featured the 450 Step Program
Such a fabulous story. I love how he broke through your narrative to restore what’s true for you. The gift of vision is invaluable however it shows up. So glad your knees are better.
Yes, it really was a story adjustment.
Rick, I love how you created this masterful piece out of the story you shared with us. The thread of the shiny eyes from each of these two men is brilliant. But the thing that really touched me to the core is the photo at the end. Those huge sacks of garbage tossed aside in one day, you said, and this beautiful soul's "joy and mission" to clean it up stunned me. Thanks.
Thank you, Linda, that pile of garbage is one of many that pile up every day down on the beach. There are signs everywhere, asking people to take their garbage up the stairs with them when they leave, but they are largely unheeded. It is technically the parks board job to clean it up and I’m sure the staff are very happy they have the help of this man. They should be paying him, but he’s already getting paid in a form of meaning and self-esteem that transcends the system.
Wow this was so well written! I feel like you alone can make a medical appointment sound interesting. I do think people who love what they do are particularly exceptional at what they do. And that our mind and body are connected. Idk if I’d have the energy to run up and down those stairs every morning, so double kudos for to you for having faith and executing on it.
Thank you Michelle. Like so many things that are uncomfortable at first, if you get over the hump and into a routine, they become quite a joy. The early morning visits to the forest, the birds, and the exercise are now energy giving instead of energy taking. The article was an attempt to express gratitude for those helpful human nudges we get, and in general to call attention to how much we really do need each other to rise up to our best. Your comment here is part of the same weave and I thank you for joining my conversation, the kind words, and encouragement.
My pleasure! This is also making me want to push myself to go out to the beach more often and enjoy the nature here *just because*. I think you're right about the human nudges, sometimes there's a tiny barrier that we just need helping pushing through.
And that happens naturally in like-minded communities, which is why I love hanging out here!
I had a similar experience and it felt so good when I finally found a therapist I could trust. It's what made me become a physical therapist.
I find that so many of my clients come in thinking they are broken. A big part of my role is helping people readjust their mindset so they can know they are fixable.
I have deep gratitude for you and any other therapist who is doing this job. Thank you.
Our normal view of the world is all upside down... thanks for once again putting it right side up.
Thank you as always for reading PJ.
Thank you Rick for sharing this. This hilarious alright. But more importantly, the lesson about embracing pain speak volumes.
We've really got to pay attention to know the difference between the right time to move past our discomfort and the right time to stop pushing. I think that's the big upside of getting an expert eye on our problems and progress.
While reading this two other stories of heading toward the pain to find healing. It's the way to go. As always i appreciate your candor.
Thanks Karl.
Loved this one, Rick!
Thanks Bev