Alright. I think it's time for the second part of the story. First off, I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful feedback from the previous post. Upon writing it, I had no idea what kind of impact it was gonna make, but I'm thankful that at least a few benefited from reading it. Thanks again for the responses. It truly means a lot.
This is going to be rather short and sweet.
I must begin by saying that Kyle and I have quickly become well acquainted with one another. Kyle is the blind guy. (He may be without sight, but he does have a name.) He comes in the weight room just about every time I'm working. He has remarkable form when lifting weights, despite the fact that he doesn't know what "form" looks like. It floors me every time I glance over and see him working out. I forget that he's blind for a second...it's just so unreal.
But I think I've said enough about him. He's a remarkable being, there's no other way I can put it. So I'll switch the focus to all of the "normal" people with all five senses, who don't necessarily deserve them. (More specifically: myself)
...and I will do so in a later post. Sorry, its late again and I'm not really feeling a creative flow. You can't force the cards. I promise I'll get back to it ASAP with a clear mind and open heart. The next post will be straight to the point; no lolly gagging. Bring a helmet.
My apologies,
Zach
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
face first
Today I posted a Facebook status that read:
"I fear my life will forever encompass an unnatural love/hate relationship with the things that continuously knock me on my face."
The specific meaning behind this is a mystery to everyone I'm sure, so let me elaborate...
The inspiration behind this odd cluster of words stems from a certain incident that occurred today (if not a continuum of instances that happen to us all every now and again). It's one of those things that places you outside of your comfort zone and into the reality of things we aren't accustomed to. I'm talking about the times when you feel you have to give your testimony out-of-the-blue. Or when a beggar asks if you have any spare change. Or when you see an old lady in desperate need of someone to help her cross the street. My such event involved me helping a blind man.
For those that don't know, I work at the University of Montevallo Student Activity Center when I'm not in class. I mostly just supervise the weight room and make sure no horse-play goes on. It is, of course, a very uneventful job...until a blind guy walks in and wants to get in shape. So I show him around the place and point out the different machines and describe the muscles they work to the guy. A very uncomfortable situation, I must say. I never really had any interactions with a blind person prior to today, so I wasn't sure how to accomplish this task. Should I hold on to him so he doesn't trip over the machines? Should I direct his hand to the various mechanisms and levers and weights? Or should I treat him as if he had no disability at all? I'm sure he could feel the hesitance in my voice as we toured the facility. I just wanted it to be over so I could go back over behind the front desk and gather my thoughts and breathe a sigh of relief. Selfish me...
He didn't plan on working out at that time, so he departed when I had finished showing him around. But before he left, something inside me--something I wish I could uncover at will (or that would remain uncovered all the time) caused me to tell him my work hours. I told him when I was available and to ask me for any kind of help he needed. My outlook on the situation had done a complete turnaround in a matter of minutes. I don't know why or how my brain told my mouth to move and my voice to share this information. I didn't like dealing with this uncomfortableness, so why would I freely allow more at a later date? I think it's because I long for things that are unknown, but am too scared to go out and face it until it's standing right in front of me. I think God definitely puts those uncomfortable tasks in our path to test us and ultimately make us stronger. Maybe this doesn't happen to everyone; I know a lot of people can deal with things of this sort with ease. THAT is incredible!
There will be sort of a 2nd part to this regarding the way I (we) take things for granted, like the five senses most of us are blessed with. It's late and I've said enough already. Until then, be ready when you get thrown a curve ball.
God bless,
Zach
"I fear my life will forever encompass an unnatural love/hate relationship with the things that continuously knock me on my face."
The specific meaning behind this is a mystery to everyone I'm sure, so let me elaborate...
The inspiration behind this odd cluster of words stems from a certain incident that occurred today (if not a continuum of instances that happen to us all every now and again). It's one of those things that places you outside of your comfort zone and into the reality of things we aren't accustomed to. I'm talking about the times when you feel you have to give your testimony out-of-the-blue. Or when a beggar asks if you have any spare change. Or when you see an old lady in desperate need of someone to help her cross the street. My such event involved me helping a blind man.
For those that don't know, I work at the University of Montevallo Student Activity Center when I'm not in class. I mostly just supervise the weight room and make sure no horse-play goes on. It is, of course, a very uneventful job...until a blind guy walks in and wants to get in shape. So I show him around the place and point out the different machines and describe the muscles they work to the guy. A very uncomfortable situation, I must say. I never really had any interactions with a blind person prior to today, so I wasn't sure how to accomplish this task. Should I hold on to him so he doesn't trip over the machines? Should I direct his hand to the various mechanisms and levers and weights? Or should I treat him as if he had no disability at all? I'm sure he could feel the hesitance in my voice as we toured the facility. I just wanted it to be over so I could go back over behind the front desk and gather my thoughts and breathe a sigh of relief. Selfish me...
He didn't plan on working out at that time, so he departed when I had finished showing him around. But before he left, something inside me--something I wish I could uncover at will (or that would remain uncovered all the time) caused me to tell him my work hours. I told him when I was available and to ask me for any kind of help he needed. My outlook on the situation had done a complete turnaround in a matter of minutes. I don't know why or how my brain told my mouth to move and my voice to share this information. I didn't like dealing with this uncomfortableness, so why would I freely allow more at a later date? I think it's because I long for things that are unknown, but am too scared to go out and face it until it's standing right in front of me. I think God definitely puts those uncomfortable tasks in our path to test us and ultimately make us stronger. Maybe this doesn't happen to everyone; I know a lot of people can deal with things of this sort with ease. THAT is incredible!
There will be sort of a 2nd part to this regarding the way I (we) take things for granted, like the five senses most of us are blessed with. It's late and I've said enough already. Until then, be ready when you get thrown a curve ball.
God bless,
Zach
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