If you are looking for inspiration over 50, look no further than this post from Kim Tackett. When does accidental wobbling become bouncing on purpose? And can that bounce propel you into your best life? Read more from Kim Tackett on her blog, Fifty Fifty Vision
Last week I was on my afternoon walk, working up a too-soon-for-summer-sweat and wondering where the magic was. It’s spring, and it’s already hot. I forgot my sunscreen. I am not ready for sleeveless. It wasn’t the mind clearing, creatively nurturing excursion I had hoped for.
At the park, there were two young men practicing their balancing skills on colorful tightropes, which were attached to the trees. The ropes weren’t high off the ground, only a few feet. They took turns jumping up, taking a few steps, bouncing, wobbling, waving their arms, and jumping down. One encouraged the other, and they traded places and did it again. They didn’t seem to be restricted by the same rules of gravitational force that kept me grounded.
They bounced.
For a quick moment I imagined asking for a turn. In reality, I knew that wouldn’t end well, so I settled for watching.
I wasn’t the only one. A few children wandered over from the playground to join me. We all watched with more than just a little awe.
Jump up, step, bounce, wobble, wave, bounce, jump down. After a few cycles, it occurred to me that they actually used the bounce. In fact, they initiated the bounce. As if it were part of the plan. Part of their practice. They bounced to get the momentum to propel themselves forward. So they could practice balancing. Wow. Weird.
The bounce that would turn unto a wobble, then the wave, and another bounce, and then the jump down.
And repeat.
As they each got stronger, they added more bounces. Higher bounces. Until there were more bounces than wobbles. The bounces seemed to add to their confidence, and to their stability. Intentional bouncing.
I kept on walking, but perhaps with a very quiet, very small, almost imperceptible, bounce in my own step.
Wondering, what intentional bouncing might look like in my own life?
Kim Tackett
Kim Tackett blogs at Fifty Fifty Vision. She’s 56 and is a proud and enthusiastic Northern Californian, living in Davis, where she is powered by coffee, new projects, travels, and her family, which includes her husband Steve, and her two fiercely independent daughters (ages 26 and 20) who are carving their own paths far away from home. This is handy, as Kim is an emerging writer who is diving deep into the midlife ecosystem. Kim is a marketing consultant at the company she owns with Steve, Tackett+Barbaria. When she can steal a moment, she’s wandering, writing, and figuring out what’s next.
Follow Me:
kim tackett
Monday 9th of June 2014
Joy, that's a great visual. Now I can't get it out of my head either!! Thanks!
Joy Sabin
Monday 9th of June 2014
After reading and enjoying your post about "Balancing and Bouncing" I found in my desk drawer a yellow bouncie ball with a smiley face on it. It was one of my son's toys which I kept for some reason. Anyway, I now have a new mantra for today- Smile and Bounce, Bounce and Smile. Thank you very much for sharing.
Ellen Dolgen
Saturday 7th of June 2014
I plan on keeping a bounce in my life as long as I am taking a breath! Now, I shall visualize these two young men to keep reminding me!
Janie Emaus
Saturday 7th of June 2014
I hope I have a bounce in my step.
Carol Cassara
Saturday 7th of June 2014
This is really a profound question...or at least I found it so.