Fishing

Yesterday, I decided to take a break from academia and go fishing. Cam and I jumped in the pickup and headed out to a farm pond. I fished. Cam jumped in the water and dug for stuff in the bank. I broke open some cattails and threw the fuzz at him. He shook water on me. Then he'd run off while I sat on the bank, and I watched my bobber sit perfectly still in the calm water. I never caught any fish, and the weather was pretty miserable. Still, it was better than being at school, and by the time I got home, I felt pretty good about things.

I've realized that I'm much more healthy when I'm outside, even if the weather sucks. Something about the outdoors keeps me in balance, and it makes me realize that I'm alive. It grounds me and keeps me in contact with the spiritual side of my life. Yesterday, I never thought about what new problems landed in my inbox over the course of the day. I didn't think about my responsibilities as a teacher and a student. I didn't grade anything, and I didn't do any assignments for the courses I'm taking. I just enjoyed nature with a friendly yellow dog. I watched the clouds, listened to the wind rattle the drying plants, and hoped that I'd get to have fish for supper. By the end of the day, the headache that's been with me the past week or so disappeared. The knots in my back loosened. I felt good.

I need to do some schoolwork this afternoon. The thought of it has already brought my headache back. I checked my email a few minutes ago and had a mini panic attack just after logging in.

I don't think it's meant to be this way. I don't think God intended for us to be inside all day. Take this room for instance. There are no windows. There are eleven computers. There are seventeen florescent tubes that provide all the light. The only sounds come from the computers humming and the heating system pushing hot air through the building. There are no birds. There is no sunshine or rain or wind or snow. There's no dirt. No rocks. Nowhere to dig, should the inspiration strike. There are thirty-six 110-volt electrical outlets, though. There's even one 220-volt outlet, just in case the English department wanted to install an oven or clothes dryer or power washer in this computer lab. Maybe they should. Soak the place. Then cover the floor with dirt. Plant some seeds. Tear off the roof. Let the sun and moon shine in.

Maybe my headache would go away again.