Settled

Could you stop yourself?

I was watching the Millrose Games Indoor Track & Field Competition. I love watching things like this. Elite athletes from around the world competing at the highest level. At one point, though, I started thinking about the pacers. In longer races they run ahead of the pack for the first few miles, setting a fast enough, but not too fast pace for the 'real' runners. Then, at a predetermined point, or maybe when the lead person says so, they move out of the way and they are done. They stop.

I think, if I were good enough to be a pacer, I might have a hard time doing that. I'd be tempted to think, "Hey, maybe I could keep this up." Or, "Even if I don't win, I could surely beat somebody!" I imagine myself getting caught up in the moment and forgetting what I was there for... you know what I mean? It's difficult for our individualized society to think beyond ourselves. Or, maybe I should just speak for myself...

Instead, these pacers apparently understand their place in this world. They are content to do their job, and that's it. They know the value of providing a service for others... so the OTHERS can do better. They know how to stay in their lane - literally and figuratively.

Anyway, all this got me to thinking... A lot of times I think I've pretty much just "settled." Like, yep, I'm old. I work a meaningless job and live a fairly meaningless existence. I go to work, go out and run by myself for no particular reason, eat supper and go to bed. What more is there?

'Settled' is one of those words that can have multiple meanings though. The above sense - more of a resignation - is negative. But we can also become 'settled' and it's more of a contentment with life; a finding our way; being at ease with who we are and where we're at; recognizing that there's more to life than our little ol' selves!

It reminds me of Richard Rohr's book 'Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.' I should probably read that again, because the first time I did I was settled negatively. Maybe it's time I got settled positively. As he says in the book:

“Before the truth sets you free, it tends to make you miserable.”

Well, I think I've just about mastered miserable. Perhaps it's time to be free... again.

Life is eternal, after all. There's likely to be a whole lot more of it!

***

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” -1 Corinthians 13:1-3

 

[NOTE: This was originally written 2/10/22]