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As Usual

7/26/2018

6 Comments

 
Picture
Act I Scene One - Truck Stop
Server:                         “You ordered the same soup for lunch last week.”

I’m thinking:               How nice to be remembered.
​
Server:                         “You sat at the table by the door.”
Server:                         “Will you have the same sandwich today?”

I’m thinking:              She’s attracted to me.

Server:                         “Would you like your coffee now?”

Me:                                “Yes. I’m sorry I don’t remember you.”

Server:                         “Not to worry Dear. I don’t remember you either but I never forget an order.”
 
Act II Scene One - Restaurant  
Server:                         “Hello, Richard. Dinner alone?”

Me:                                “Yes, as usual. I’ll have the regular please.”

Server:                         “Coming right up.”

Guy at table
behind me:                “In March, 1916 Sr. Ernest Shackleton led his men back from the wind-swept, 60          degree below zero, Antarctic interior to the relative warmth of the ocean. They failed to be the first polar expedition to cross the Antarctic continent. Starvation and frostbite dogged their trek home.”

Woman with  
Guy at table
behind me:                 “How interesting. I love your stories. You’re so smart.”
 
Guy:                               “Shackleton was desperate. His ship, Endurance was crushed by pack ice and sank. Three lifeboats, each about 20 feet in length, remained near water’s edge. Shackleton knew of an island, about 50 miles to the northwest. Without maps and navigation they would dead recon for the island. Darn, I can’t remember the name of the island. If Shackleton and his men could pilot lifeboats through rough seas they might be saved. If they stayed on the icepack they would starve and freeze. Shackleton decided to strike out for the island. Oh, what was the name of that island?”
 
Me turning
to face Guy:              “Elephant.”

Guy turns
to me:                           “Pardon me?”

Me:                                “Elephant. Elephant Island is the name of the island.”

Guy:                              “Yes, that’s right, Elephant Island. Thank you.”

Woman turns
to me:                          “Oh, you’re smart too.”

Guy faces me:         “So, back to my story.”

Guy to Woman:     “I have etchings of Shackleton’s expedition in my apartment. Would you like to come over after dinner?”
 
Woman to Guy:     “I’d love to.”

Server to me:          “Will that be all?”

Me to Server:         “Yeah, as usual.”

If this essay is meaningful, please like or tweet below or leave a comment. Thank you for your interest and possible action you may take.
 
Richard Wilberg, MS, PLCC, ACC 
Coach for Personal Fulfillment and Career Success
​
6 Comments
Sherry Mills link
7/26/2018 10:27:48 am

Richard,

I sat for a moment after reading this, and then I truly "got" something... As happens with my experience of your posts and writing, I'm given a kind of medicine in perfect timing. It is as though some shade of your perspective being voiced is revealed to me in support of whatever current mini quest of overcoming this or that aspect of my reality I may be seated inside of... for which I'm so thankful!

With this piece, I'm reminded to trust in and invest my mental space in the REAL friendship that surrounds me, that kind with depth, clarity, true listening, attentiveness, accountability, and to allow my attachment to hoping for positive outcomes with others where I am not embraced for what I am go where they always were placed: not near me.

Sitting right next to me in this life is the "you" in this piece that has the answer, didn't need bells and whistles to convince me of anything, and that truly sees me.

So I commit to those who embrace me. I commit to turning my attention to them, in whatever restaurant. To turning to and leaning into their loud silence. Their observation. I value them, as they value me. And away we go...

XO

Reply
Richard Wilberg
7/26/2018 01:02:39 pm

Sherry,
I am humbled by your response and the immense responsibility we all carry for our impact on others. I want to be present, honest, and accurate in my communications and interactions knowing that when I speak from my inner self I have the best chance to stay out of the mud. This morning as I walked for coffee a perfectly shaped hawk feather, in pristine condition appeared on the sidewalk in front of me. Hawk medicine is a reminder, a message from a higher place to take a broader perspective, a higher truth in all that we do. Hawk reminds us to see what others miss, to notice the details in life, and to stay out of the mud! After coffee, I posted this essay. Thank you Hawk and thank you, Sherry for your insight.
Richard

Reply
Sherry link
7/26/2018 11:59:42 pm

Richard!

So appreciate your to kind and thoughtful response... again, such magic and so timely. Not only did the shaman I see once a month suggest last time I bring feathers into my life, but you’ve reminded me that the Hawk has been a totem of mine... and after one session with my shaman in Brooklyn some months ago I saw a group of people gathered in front of a building. Deciding to pause and see what the object of attention was, I discovered a hawk atop a trash can, eating a pigeon, but four feet away from all of us! Just looking at us, periodically gnawing on its dinner. It was a magical sign, one in a series that day. But I’d not heard the “stay out of the mud” aspect, which is today, exactly what I needed!

Thank you for being you!!

Kerstin Kuentzel link
7/26/2018 02:50:49 pm

What a clever portrait of a victim to see himself/herself as well as a wise reminder that energy follows thought (Law of Attraction). Thank you, Richard!

Reply
Richard
7/27/2018 06:47:15 am

Kerstin,
Thank you for your observation. Yes, when we laugh at ourself we open possibilities to better understand and appreciate others, especially those who we wish would be different. Since we can't change others we start with changing ourself.

Reply
Richard
7/28/2018 05:11:05 am

Hi Sherry,

Interesting experience you had with Hawk. I “talked” to a Hawk once. I wrote about the experience on my blog. Can’t find it now. Internet is terrible here. Hawk and eagle share special medicine. On my blog in June 2015 I wrote an essay about six characteristics of leadership in Being a Successful Leader that Eagle shows. One is focus. Here is what I said:

· Focused. Visualize what’s important and dive for this goal. When we focus from a lofty place we stay out of the weeds. When we see beyond the mundane, we move toward broad purpose. When we communicate our vision we engage those around us. With engagement we achieve strategic goals.

Think of weeds as mud. I misquoted myself!

Reply

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    About the Author

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    Richard Wilberg writes fiction, creative non-fiction, self-development, and career counseling articles. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

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