and i’m falling but i’m not dreaming

Today as I drove to work, my windshield got splashed numerous times with large amounts of water as other cars hit large puddles that collect in the large potholes and uneven roads that wend their way through NE. And even though I know that the glass protects me from the water - that there is no way that it will hit me, I shrink back, I blink and am amazed each time that I am still fully dry. It's the same way those few times that I sit behind home plate at the Twins' games. I know that the net will catch those lightning fast foul balls that fly backwards and threaten to knock someone unconscious, but I react, instinctively shielding myself from the ball.

Instinct. Reflex. They protect us in so many situations that could be harmful. We know, instinctively when there is something that might knock us down and keep us down. But how do we keep ourselves from over-reacting to something that might go either way. In our lives, we encounter situations in our professional lives, our 'friend' lives, and in our love relationships that turn out badly. Maybe more than once. How do we discern these good situations from the bad? When do we shut out the instinctive voice in our head that says - watch out, you're going to get drenched, get out of way? Because maybe, this time, it will be different.

You can't turn off instinct. And if your reflexes don't work, you may have something physically wrong with you. But you can, when there is the slightest chance that things will turn out different, open yourself up to that possibility and embrace it. Yeah, you might get drenched, but it might be the kind of water-soaking that only comes with a really good rain. The kind that hits you when you're standing in the cul de sac and swimming in a puddle in the middle of the storm.

On a side note, today was a pretty shitty, craptastic day. But it turned out all right in the end and I'm tired enough where I might just be able to sleep in this huge house tonight.

Tomorrow is Friday. TGIF.

Quote o' the day:

"Telling us to obey instinct is like telling us to obey "people." People say different things: so do instincts. Our instincts are at war.... Each instinct, if you listen to it, will claim to be gratified at the expense of the rest...." - C.S. Lewis, (British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963)