So, this evening I decided that it was time to go do my weekly grocery shopping. I'm not always a fan of going to Wal-Mart, and especially not in the evening. But it had to be done. So Emery could have breakfast in the morning and have food to eat at school. So, I took an inventory of my kitchen. I made my list. Forgot my list (oops), and headed out the door.
So there I was. Zipping through Wal-Mart. Quick, like bunny. I had almost come to end of my shopping extravaganza and I was perusing the fresh fruits and veggies. I was looking towards the produce. All this time, there was an elderly gentleman in front of me in Big Smith overalls.
Side note: In the south, or in this area at least, it seems that most older gentleman, especially if they work outside, wear Big Smith overalls. If you are unsure of what they are, google it.
Anyway... elderly gentleman in front of me. I was looking directly at the produce and was using my side vision to make sure the man was still walking. Then it happened. I straight up rammed him with my cart. I apologized, no less, than a go-jillion times. Luckily for me, this man was a sweet, kind heart type and not a cantankerous hell raiser. (Thank you, Dear Heavenly Father for that!!) But still. I. FELT. HORRIBLE.
And, as I walked away, I kept thinking about how I could have sworn he was still walking. How could my peripheral vision have failed me? And then... I had an epiphany.
It started out the thought process of, of course peripheral vision fails. This is why you aren't supposed to text and drive. This is why things that require undivided attention shouldn't just be guided by peripheral vision.
And then I thought about how, metaphorically, this is so true as well. Often times, we let our dreams and our goals slip into our periphery. We focus on the circumstances right in front of us. We get caught up in them. And then, years later, we have no idea how we got there and we just know that we aren't where we want to be.
It convicted me. It made me think about all the things that I've ever wanted. All the goals that I've ever had. I need to focus on those, and not just barely keep my head above water, struggling against the day-to-day. Life is so much bigger than what we all think. It's so much bigger than we can even realize.
Circumstances are temporary. Life is a marathon. And as marathon runners run a race, they are able to focus on the prize... the goal. In spite of minor failures along the way, the leave it behind them and keep running. They don't let their peripheral vision guide them. They look at what is in front of them. Because they are focused and dedicated. Life... my life, should be this way.
Who knew ramming an old man in the butt with a cart could really make me stop and think. But, it did. Welcome to my mind.
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