Robert Ebsen

Things seem to come together in life for a reason.

Just last week I was thinking that I need to slow down.  At 75, I may feel like moving as a teenager, but I need to slow down.  Just yesterday in my Balance Class, when my phone rang, I jumped up to take the call with the intention of moving into the hallway.  Well, I almost lost my balance and, thankfully, I caught myself from falling.  When I returned to the class, the instructor was prepared with a wonderful object lesson: Me.  I had forgotten what I learned in that wonderful class.  I forgot to get up slowly.  I forgot to focus on where I was going. And I forgot to move slowly.

I vowed to remember the things I have learned in that class.  I made signs to put around the room, and in my car:

Slow Down

Shoulders Relaxed

 Focus

Just last week I was thinking that I really don’t need to swim every day in the cold weather.  Then yesterday I got the gas bill.  I had used my new gas pool heater almost every day, and the bill reflected that activity.  I vowed to remember to check the weather report every day.  If the temperature is expected to be in the 70s or above, I will likely heat the pool.  I made a sign to put on my nightstand:

Check the Weather for Swimming

Last week I was thinking, while tasting leftovers, that these foods do not taste so good anymore.  Then this morning my wife suggested, “Why don’t we try not to eat so many leftovers.”  Another sign:

Try to Throw Away Older Leftovers

To make these signs more dramatic and long lasting, I laminated them.  After all, I ought to give the same attention to my signs that I expect to give to my changing behaviors.

I am thinking positively.  I will slow down.  I will not swim on cold days.  I will not eat older leftovers.  And, I will make bigger and bolder signs if I forget these things.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com