How Much Mileage Are You Getting?

Dateline: August 17, 2013

Today’s agenda – following the preoccupation of the past three days – is digging a final section of drainage ditch for an erosion control project in the back yard – diverting water from my neighbor’s rain gulley, which invariably sends raging torrents across our grass, garden and flower beds during heavy downpours.

Late afternoon, I ran desperately out of energy and had to refuel.  Ever curious, I couldn’t help wondering:  How much ditch-digging mileage can I get out of a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter and three tablespoons of yogurt on Naan bread plus a half cup of milk?  Probably not much.   (But I didn’t want to spoil my dinner!) 

……………..

LATER: The rest of the story was somewhat surprising!  I dug 10 more feet of ditch, moved a pile of bricks that were in the way plus a pile of sod, removed a dying Rose of Sharon bush from the lower property line and transplanted four that were growing along the fence line – over a concentrated two-hour stretch.  THEN I collapsed!

But I couldn’t help thinking that was some pretty good mileage!

However, I also had to admit that the late surge to complete the day’s work came mainly from mental energy – I just wanted it done and would not be deterred until it was done.  A certifiable case of a “wired” mind over “wearied and worn” matter. 

NOTE: This was a stark contrast from life earlier in the week when I had been in a GRAND FUNK about necessary changes in construction of the “catch basin” required to funnel the excess water around both sides of a 50-year-old Pin Oak tree into the drainage ditch.  Puzzlement to a point of near depression had left me lethargic, exhausted, and largely dysfunctional.  A case of “mired” mind over “wrangled” matter. 

What changed?  A painful afternoon of internet searching and a strategic turn of the kaleidoscope (from using a combination of stone and dirt fill to using only stones) ultimately generated a host of new possibilities and I was back on track.  Wow!  Information can be empowering!!

Overall mileage, then, depends on what kind of mental energy (and information) we’ve got on board as well as calories and nutrients in the tank.

So here’s the question:  What kind of mileage can YOU get from a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter, three tablespoons of yogurt, and a half cup of milk superimposed on a stretched or stressed mindset? 

·         How about from 6 hours of television?

·         Or half a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts?

·         Or a six-pack of beer?  

·         How about an internet search?

·         A strategic turn of the kaleidoscope?

·         A technical training session?

·         A “Power Walk” or other aerobic fitness regimen?

NOTE:  Mileage away from your goal is not mileage you can count.  It’s not “freebie” mileage.  It’s LOST mileage. 

Moral: Get “wired” in both mindset and bodyset for the journey you’re on and the destination you want to achieve.  The “mileage” you get will surprise your friends and startle your enemies and will position you for much greater things to come.  Quartermaster