I’ve often been told that I have a strange way of looking at things. Not so much in a Dalai Lama kinda way, but more along the lines of, say, Homer Simpson. Anyway, I look for wisdom where I can find it. I have a tendency to let the real wisdom go straight through me and mistake it for heartburn, while grasping onto the outer fringes of words spoken and calling it “wisdom”. Some things I call wise, just sound good…but sounding good is cool too, so whatever.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day. We were discussing a “procedure” that he had recently undergone. This is a common procedure that many men elect to have performed at different stages in their lives. As he was going through the process, he was conversing with his doctor They were discussing the discomfort that he should expect to feel. The doctor assured him that he would be fine, that the pain would not be anything that he couldn’t handle. He then said,

“The younger guys find it more painful than the older guys. That’s because they don’t have as much life behind them yet.”

This could probably be taken different ways, and might just be mere words used to pass time during an uncomfortable situation. However, what I heard was that the same process can be more painful, or at least be perceived as more painful, to someone simply because the lack of life’s experience. It points towards the existence of a learning curve.

Is that true?

Is there a point in our life, based on age or experience, where we are simply capable of looking at situations and experiencing a lesser degree of pain, just because of our experience with pain and different life situations?

I think it says a lot about the potential to live life gracefully, and without so many scars, bruises, and peaks and valleys. I think that it points to a possibility of maximizing what is to be had in each experience and become “better” at living life. We can become “better” at realizing how much pain and suffering is really necessary in any given situation. Maybe we don’t have to wait until we are older to raise our pain threshold and not take everything so seriously.

Now, I am in no way saying that we can avoid all forms and pain and suffering, that would be a terrible thing. I am saying that it sounds like that life might just be a skill. We all know the old person who just breezes through life, laughs off problems, and makes it all look so easy. Is this because their problems are different, or is it because they are more experienced? I want to believe that it is perspective based on experience.

I was listening to a wise, old friend of mine, and she said something along the lines of that which I am speaking. In referring to her own life, she said,

“For many, many years, I could not seem to get comfortable in my own skin. Because of awareness, a little work, and experience, I have learned to wear the world like a loose garment.”

Whhhheeeeewwww. [Deep breath. Long sigh] I like the sound of that. Wearing the world like a loose garment. I take the world and squeeze it so tight- I turn and twist it in so many directions. I wear it like sumo suit with a tightly wound turban. I wear this thing like a sports bra, that turns my nipples a bright blue, because I twist, and I turn, and I knead, instead of just letting go. I should practice letting it all roll off of me. Take things more on a case-by-case basis. Let some things “just be”. Let sleeping dogs lie… or lay… or whatever the hell they do (don’t obsess over it Wilson. They get the point). Stop worrying about the result and just get to work. Stop concerning myself with the opinion of others. Wear it. Let it flow around me. Wear the world like a loose fitting garment. Relax. Take it easy.

Enjoy your day.

Peace, Love, and all things beef related,

Beefcake

My name is Wilson Horrell, aka “Beefcake”.  I’m a junkie turned sober that found CrossFit, running, and community to be my new addiction. I have no education or experience as a writer, and almost zero knowledge of grammar. I love sitting in front of a computer and spitting it out on paper as it goes through my brain. I hope you enjoy reading, and feel free to reach out or comment at anytime!

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