“You’re Out Of Line!” April 11, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Humor, People.comments closed
At Water Aerobics last week, I listened to my body instead of following the leader’s orchestration.
As I did my own thing, I heard a resounding chorus of “Nancy! Nancy! Nancy!”
Alarmed that someone was drowning, I turned and heard, “You’re not doing it right.” “We’re not doing that any more.”
I nodded and kept doing my own thing.
A few days later, as we rode our bikes around the neighborhood to check out the Annual Yard Sale offerings (more focused on socializing than shopping), we ran into some folks from Water Aerobics.
It was great chatting with them . . . with clothes on!
Until one guy (who has hardly spoken to me before) asked, “Why don’t you do what everyone else is doing in Water Aerobics?”
Taken aback by the challenge in his voice, I said, “Well, if my shoulder is bothering me, I do other stretches.”
Dissatisfied with my answer, he rephrased his question, “Are you just not a good listener?”
“I listen. But I listen to my body first and foremost.”
Ignoring my attempt to deflect the discussion, he continued with his cross examination, “Do you just not like to have people tell you what to do?”
“Well, I admit I don’t worry much about staying in line. It’s not synchronized swimming after all.”
He kept at it, determined to discover why I am not doing what I’m supposed to be doing when I’m supposed to be doing it.
Why?
I’m not sure and I didn’t ask. That’s HIS business.
Perhaps . . .
* I stepped outside the lines of what he views as acceptable conduct.
* He believes I am stepping on his toes by coloring outside the lines.
* He blames me for upsetting him . . . when he’s upsetting himself.
People like him are exhausting. They require too much tending, insisting that we spend time mending broken fences that splintered under the weight of their expectations.
Life is short. Feel free to ignore the Border Collies yapping at your heels to get you “back in line.” Do what you want to do. Let them think what they will.
They’re not the boss of you.
Unless, of course, they are the boss of you . . . in which case Listen Up!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 