July 10, 2008

741 Somersaults — Not a Fence in Sight

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:47 am

I've been thinking . . .

fences.

Where I grew up, we had this fabulous back yard. Three houses backed up to it. They stood high on an embankment. It was 18 cement stairs down to the basement level and another 16 stairs, if you took that way down to the yard. Most of the time we just ran down the hill next to the stairs. Sometimes we laid on our sides and rolled.

About 150 yards from the hill with the stairs was the river bank. From here to there was all green, green grass, not a fence in sight. I once did 741 somersaults across that expanse. It’s a record that I obviously still cherish.

A fence across that grassy field would’ve undreamed an endless stream of childhood somersaults. We wouldn’t have thought of doing many things that we did.

Fences would have changed our thinking. They have a way of dividing our view into greener and not so green grass. The worst are the fences disconnect us from our potential. Build a fence around your goals, and you’ll surely not reach them.

Draw a fence around your heart, and people will stay out.

I don’t like fences. They make it hard to set records we never forget.

741 somersaults — not a fence in sight.

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11 Comments to “741 Somersaults — Not a Fence in Sight”

  1. July 10th, 2008 at 6:56 am
    Alina Popescu said

    That is indeed an impressive record! To be honest, I hope to get to raise my children in a way that allows me to take them where there are no fences quite often. My grandparents and their neighbors had quite some fences, but we had the forest and the nearby creek as a play ground. Nothing to stop us from using our imagination.

    Fences, real or as metaphors, are hard to get away from. Especially in a world where we’re all crowded in tiny spaces at home or at work. But it’s sure worth trying to make them disappear :)

  2. July 10th, 2008 at 6:59 am
    Jamie Harrop said

    This post has me smiling from ear to ear, Liz. :-D

    741 somersaults? Did it take you a week to start seeing straight?

    You’re so right. Too often in this modern world we build fences, physical and emotional, that remove the ability to create amazing.

    Too often, land, both physical and emotional, that was once available for 741 somersaults becomes land for 741 new, low cost homes. Too often, land, both physical and emotional, that was once available for 741 somersaults, becomes something far less amazing.

    It’s up to us to make amazing, but it’s up to the rest of us to maintain a place to be amazing.

  3. July 10th, 2008 at 7:19 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Alina!
    It is easier to imagine when we get away from fences. I’d love to know whether a correlation could be drawn between open spaces and open minds. :)

  4. July 10th, 2008 at 7:22 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Jamie!
    Well, you know the rule — if you don’t want to be dizzy you have to do the same thing only backwards . . .

    I’m with you on keeping some wonderfully open spaces for somersaults and other kinds of childish endeavors we imagine at any age.

  5. July 10th, 2008 at 8:42 am
    Miz Liz said

    Liz- THANK YOU for the inspiration. Was just ‘woe is me-ing’ and simultaneously drawing some serious boundaries around creative thoughts. Wow - Universe stepped in here.
    BTW - your somersault record is truly impressive!

  6. July 10th, 2008 at 9:32 am
    jennifer said

    That is just beautiful! I loved the way you expressed the thought on it. Thanks for the inspiration:)

  7. July 10th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
    SpaceAgeSage said

    I see why you don’t like boundaries now! Yes, that many somersault’s forever free the heart in cherished ways. I hope you get plenty of opportunities to do the adult version of that!

  8. July 10th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Miz Liz!
    Glad you made it out of your woe-ing and back to the living!! :)

    Just in time for the weekend . . .

  9. July 10th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Sage!
    I’m working on something now that makes those 741 somersaults fade by comparison. Wish a wish for me!!

  10. July 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am
    SpaceAgeSage said

    Best wishes are coming your way!

  11. July 11th, 2008 at 9:56 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thanks! They could be working already. . . . :)

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