After two days of incessant downpour, I woke up to drier conditions this morning so laced up my running shoes and hit the country roads around our village. The route was 4.3 miles on paper but I think I ran nearer 5 in the end due to the number of cow pats I had to circumnavigate during one section. A farmer must have been moving cattle between fields and hadn’t got round to cleaning the road yet. Or not before yours truly blundered through it, anyway.
It was a veritable bovine minefield but I slithered and sashayed my way through it without any mishaps. There wasn’t a cow to be seen and I pictured them watching from an adjacent field as the silly human staggered past. What’s more I had to negotiate the various cow pats again on the way back. Worry not, though, I didn’t have my phone with me so there is no photographic evidence of my adventures. Nobody need throw their breakfast in the bin.
We encounter unexpected minefields every day of our lives as we struggle through the day. How we deal with them is part of said life. Do we skid to a halt and retrace our steps or try and find an alternative route to our designated location? Do we grind to a halt, fold our arms and wait for the friendly farmer to arrive with his power hose? Or do we make the best of a bad lot and pick our way through the messy business of the day, treading carefully and hoping for the best?
I’ve stood in my fair share of metaphorical cow pats in the past and ended up with much more than egg on my face. We all have but that’s how we learn, part of the learning experience. If we continually turn and run away from risk and challenge we will surely miss out on the very best parts of our lives. Life is to be lived, the messy parts as well as the smooth sections. Wishing you all a great day, wherever you are.
Black Thoughts 
It’s not what happens to you; it’s how you adapt and respond. Your post reminds me of the importance of perseverance. Thanks.
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You’re welcome and correct. Thank you 😊
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I think after reading this, you made me realise that all the small things that we do in everyday life actually teach us on how to approach the bigger picture in life. (If only we look further) I mean sometimes we feel lost when we think of the bigger picture or the ultimate milestone. But the answers are always there right in front of us.
I hope I made sense😂 Thank you!!
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It did indeed. Small steps 🙂
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Damn good analogy considering that it’s got cow pats in it!
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Thank you 🙂
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Absolutely, and I loved the imagery of your run through the mud. It is so important for us to live our lives. Loved this
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Thank you very much 🙂
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We call them cow pies round here. Do not ask me why.
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Most unappetising 😳
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This echoes a passage I read from Howard Thurman’s MEDITATIONS OF THE HEART. The passage is entitled, “The Ministry if Pain.”
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Thank you. I’ll have to check that out 😊
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As always, an inspirational post. I grew up around cows and animals. I’ve stepped in a lot of patties and pies. And generally-speaking, poo of all kind. Yep, I just have to change the shoes, devise a new plan with new knowledge (I guess I’ve gained a wee bit of wisdom through my poo-tracking), create a new path sometimes, and just keep going! Sounds like a beautiful run my friend. 💚
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Thank you. I hope you have a cow pat free day soon 🙂
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I’m having lots of those kinds of days now! Have a wonderful weekend!
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You too 🙂
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Wonderful analogy! I don’t know how carefully I tread, but I tend to dive right in and hope for the best.
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That’s certainly one way of doing it 🙂
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My life is very messy. I’m trying to get caught up on a lot and sometimes it feels overwhelming.
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I hope you get there.
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Problem solving is one of the best parts of life! Difficult to dive into wholeheartedly every time, but so rewarding. I hope you are well too. 😊
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Thank you. I muddling along 🙂
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