Humble Pie Is Good For You – Once In A While

Have you had some lately?

This week’s orienteering adventure gives me a moment to talk about being a little bit too confident.

It was one of those times when you don’t consider what might happen, and do something that seems reasonable up until the time it doesn’t.

Have you done that lately?

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Can’t make it

I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t be in two places at once. I wanted to compete in an orienteering event, but had also scheduled time for a performance with my cabaret group.

And then the organizer of the event sent over the map and said: “hey – here’s this map in case you have any time.”

Suddenly I was making a bargain with myself. I really didn’t have any other time to do this, but I could get over there after the show. The day’s over anyway and as long as I can see it’ll be great.

Able to see

And being able to see was an easy check – 9:00pm and I can see just fine. I guess this’ll work out!

Foreboding

The day went fine – the show went fine, and the trip to the park went fine. But as I drove into the park and looked out the window into the woods I said to myself: “hey, it looks reasonably dark in there”…

Just fine until it wasn’t

Things started off well enough – I could see the map, was traveling on trails, and things were looking good.

Until I decided to run through the very open but not quite that light forest.

That wasn’t quite as open as it had appeared.

And I came crashing down like a rock when a branch that I hadn’t been able to pick out from the forest floor grabbed my foot.

Better part of valor

Sure, I picked myself up, and dusted myself off – and was quite relieved to find I hadn’t really hurt myself. I continued on, but didn’t really have my heart in it, and the darkness waits for no one.

Pretty soon I couldn’t see well enough to navigate, and decided to call it a day.

Useful

Being humbled by the forest – a good thing overall.

I know something that I can’t quite do, and that it wasn’t going to happen just because I really wanted it to. (I remain confident in my abilities and don’t regret the venture though – it’s all good).

The lesson comes with just a couple light scratches and bruised ego.

And I can manage all of that.

Have you had your helping lately?