“This is where I am trying to get to … right here, on this map.”
“(Man studies the map) Hmmm … No. No, you can’t get there from here.”
“Why do you say I can’t get there, from here.”
“Why? Because you’re not moving. You have to move, to get there. Don’t just sit there, or stand there. You have to move.”
“Moving” is a big deal. There is a time to move, there is a time to wait. Impulsivity can drive movement; vision can drive movement; passion can drive movement; wisdom can drive movement; foolishness can drive movement; panic can drive movement; and confidence can drive movement. There may be a risk involved.
For some men, redemptive movement towards an authentic, honorable, intimacy is terrifying. Men desire to be known. Men fear being known. Isolation is appealing to some men. To move … might result in being known, being seen, being heard, being “found out”; thus, being rejected, being ridiculed, being betrayed, being misquoted. One word, or concept, that comes to mind is …
M O M E N T U M
Momentum is about movement; not only movement, but movement in a specific direction, usually with a specific purpose. And MOMENTUM connects with Newton’s Law of Inertia:
During my time of working in the field of addictions, I learned about good momentum, and not-so-good momentum. The heroin addict is never satisfied, unless he changes the momentum from using heroin to pursuing sobriety with passion, intentionality, with vision, for a reason. Same for the workaholic. Same for a man, or a woman, addicted to relationships / sex / codependent relationships / pornography. When I think of Newton’s Law of Inertia, I think of a downhill snow skier.
All it takes is a shift in body weight, at the top of the ski run, and off her or she goes. No motor, no sail. Just skier and mountain. Without an external force, the skier will continue, and it could get dangerous. But when the surface levels out, or when the skier shifts his or her weight, or when he or she falls, or runs into something or someone, momentum is interrupted.
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan
Lastly, I join with those sojourners, those bloggers, who have experienced pain and suffering and anguish and depression … to the point that choosing to move is more difficult (for them and for me) than it is for others. Let’s do courage. Let’s move, and let it be good movement, with vision, with passion, with hope.
Other Side of the Trees 
yes. i am a huge believer of second chances. and third as needed…
LikeLike
Foolishness has most assuredly been a major momentum push in my life! But hindsight always gifts me with the realization that without my foolishness, I probably wouldn’t have done anything. My Dad told me once that if you never make those tough choices–take those risks–you’re going nowhere–this piece of advice has stuck with me for years, despite how simplistic it seems. This is a fantastic post, T. That first quote is one of my all-time favorites–so well said.
LikeLike
Out of all of the random blogs I could have chosen and all of the endless posts, I selected this one and (of course) it’s just what I needed to read. As an art therapist, I am new to working in addiction/ recovery and I often question whether I am on the right track with regard to topics covered in group. I wrote a post last night that is similar in nature although my post is likely way too long (and it’s not really even finished!). Brevity is not my forte. Thanks for the post. 🙂
LikeLike
I am humbled (for lack of a better word) that you have found something in my little blog, here, that is beneficial. And, I am thankful for that: what a bonus to know that we, as individuals, are able to contribute some … thing … that is helpful for another. I look forward to reading your next post. By the way: one book in particular that I have cherished, about addictions is a book entitled “Addiction and Grace”, written by Gerald May (deceased 2005?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful quote by Michael Jordan about embracing failure just as much as success. Something that Thomas Edison echoed when he said, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
LikeLike
B.T. – – – (Bespoke Traveler) I am thankful that you enjoyed Jordan’s quote, as I did. His words seemed to put things into perspective, for me … Although I am humbled, because I realize that there have been times when I did not try, I did not apply myself, because I assumed that I “could not get there from here”. Edison’s quote you passed on is really one of the great quotes, reflecting epic persistence (if there is such a thing). Peace to you, B.T.
LikeLiked by 1 person