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Figuring that no one I could call on cell phone would be able unlock gate, I began to plan my escape. It would be a simple matter of climbing on top dog house and then to top of six foot privacy fence. From there I would leap to ground.
I never knew that a six foot drop gave you so much air time. It was while in air that I began to think, “This is really a stupid idea.” Suddenly, as my fall came to an abrupt stop, thought changed to, “This is a PAINFULLY stupid idea.” I had injured my left heel and right knee. Great! “How long will I be laid up?” immediately became burning question.
Fortunately, knee healed in a day or two. Several weeks after incident my heel is still sore. It, too, will heal and injury will be forgotten.
What won’t be forgotten are a couple of lessons. First of all, next time risk is involved I’ll factor in ability and age versus benefits. And, though at fifty something, I won’t be putting arbitrary limits on what I can and can’t do, I will consider that injury is often more likely and longer lasting than when I was twenty. Secondly, I’ll remember that while it may be true that age is mind over matter (and that if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter), a corollary “barber-osophy” is equally true.
BARBER-OSOPHY: When it comes to our health, if we fail to use mind to take care of matter, age will matter sooner than we think.
Copyright 2004, Sumerlin Enterprises
Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as a link to www.barber-osophy.com is included.
Terry L. Sumerlin, known as the Barber-osopher, is the author of "Barber-osophy," and is a columnist for the San Antonio Business Journal. He speaks nationally as a humorist/motivational speaker. Visit his website at www.Barber-osophy.com.