I vaguely remember a writer sharing that his father had a unique way of telling him to step back and get some perspective.
"Give it a drink, Danny"
Even though the writer grew up in a city, I assume the saying had its origins in plough-men and their horses. When your team is flagging, 'tis not the time to bring out the whip but it is the time to find a bit of shade and a bucket of water.
So, "Danny", as a young man, had a habit of becoming consumed with whatever event was immediately in front of him. He hyper-focused and became difficult to live with.
Sometimes, wisdom resembles simply being too tired and having run out of other options. Danny's dad would trudge up the stairs to Danny's room and stand in the doorway leaning against the frame. The advise wasn't loud. It was weary. The voice of a man who worked too many hours a week at a job that was arduous and boring.
"Give it a drink, Danny."
Then his father would turn and trudge back down the stairs to (perhaps) drink his nightly allotment of Old Milwaukee or Carling long-necks.
"Give it a drink, Danny" might be timely advice given the tensions and distractions of today
Saint Patrick's Day
The Medieval Church sprinkled the year with "Feast Days" to the tune of about one every three weeks. Local custom added more. They were wedged in between the crush of planting and harvest. There were winter/early spring festivals and there were mid-summer festivals.
Saint Patrick's Day falls in the middle of Lent, perhaps as a respite for those whose abstinence/penance became too heavy to endure the entire 40 days. St Paddy's Day is a bit like the Seventh Inning Stretch in baseball.
This Lent, I gave up my liquid libation in the evening. Mrs ERJ noticed that I am much more fidgety and seem to need less sleep.
I notice that I am losing weight and may have to punch another hole in my belt!!! Not only am I forgoing the calories but that "fidgeting" means I am moving more. I do not plan to indulge tonight, but for those of you who do, please be safe!
Smile, I hear you Joe, but the horses being tired, let's take a drink might be less apt than world changing events driven mostly by ego and pride..
ReplyDeleteSufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
DeleteA wise man who is sometimes anonymous reminds us to focus on our immediate family, our neighbors and our professional associates and on other like-minded people. They have a much bigger impact on our lives than "they" do. Those groups of people will be our life-raft.
I believe that wise man is named "Michael". Good advice even if it is sometimes hard to concentrate on executing.
Ah Saint Paddy's! The one time of year day-drinking and getting black-out drunk is socially acceptable for everyone!
ReplyDelete