A pot hole could be figuratively or literally. What are your pot holes? Have you joined a gym lately or have you begun an exercise routine? Why not? Maybe the following scenario will shed some light on that question.
You know you have seen her. Over there in the corner. The thin, trim, svelte gym-jogger with the sweat stained bathroom hand towel covering the entire treadmill monitor as she treks on with nary a bead of sweat on her botoxed brow.
Not to be intimidated you quickly find an empty treadmill far away from the corner. Eyes focused straight ahead, (you almost wish you had blinders on, the kind they put on horses who pull the carriages around the park) You begin to tread away next to someone who seems to be treading a zillion miles an hour faster than you. Slyly, (lifting up one corner of your blinders) you glance from the corner of your eye (You know what I am talking about ) hoping you are not caught looking. Aha! Just as you expected. The monitor shouts 4.0! The 15 minute mile. Yikes!
In a split second you check to see if anyone is glancing at your measly 3.0. In other words the 20 min mile. Suddenly you feel like a fraud, or worse, like a horse. I mean, who does a 20 min mile on the treadmill at a gym? Certainly not the buffed 30 something who is pounding the treadmill pavement to your left and certainly not the super fit senior citizen to your right who is hanging on for dear life with both hands on the railing. Did I see a 4.0? But there is good news. No one cares!
Can you surpass all this self-induced humiliation and do your exercise outdoors? Perhaps. The main point here is to do cardiovascular exercise. At least for the required 12 minutes to actually work up to your required heart rate; hold it for the requisite 12 minutes, then cool down for 12 minutes. Can you give yourself 36 minutes a day?
What does this have to do with writing? Everything. Exercise stimulates the brain and it is better than standing on your head to grab for those ideas.
Write it down, (or should I say upside down)
Karma
I agree with you. I get many of my ideas either when I'm exercising or immediately thereafter. My favorite is swimming; I'm fortunate to be able to swim outdoors 6 days a week all year long (I live in California). It's a great idea-generating activity.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and your readers!
Great to hear from you Roger.
ReplyDeleteThe time I am exercising out doors seems to be the best time for the ideas to start flowing. I attributed this to being in tune with Nature and the Universe. There is a definite connection.
Karma,
ReplyDeleteThis post is totally YOU (Karma's perspective, metaphor, and invitation). You nailed it. You are the quickest study I have ever seen.
In appreciation,
Lisa
Lisa, a wise coach inspires the quick study.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Karma