Hold’On See ‘n Hear Your Body & Soul…

by | May 28, 2022

This memorable tune takes me back more than a few decades to a time almost forgotten. After being reminded of my roots in music from the 60s/70s, I realize the true value of “Stop Look Listen” like no other time in my life.

Stop!

Look!

Listen!

More importantly

Learn!

Act!

We headed up to Silver Falls the other day, while staying at Roddy Ranch in Albany, Oregon. What a stunning spectacle of Mother Nature to see, wow!

As we walked on the trail to Silver Falls, it was time to get down to business again. It was then when Judy and I committed ourselves to safety first, not fights to lose.

We so looked forward to arriving in Las Vegas by June 3rd to see Sarah, Chris and Liam, our grandson, turning one year old on June 24th. Hearts pound with joy thinking of Liam’s smile and giggling laughter.

Stop!

When we get mixed up or rattled by more than one distraction or mishap, it’s time to say “STOP!” This can save your life. Just stop please, especially as we age with a a few scars that don’t heal easily.

Look!

When we turn off the road and stop safely, it feels like we lost out way. I believe just sitting and breathing for a bit gives us time to look see. It’s usually a short time well spent to right the ship, and get a Starbucks kick, then it’s back on the road safely. Look!

Listen!

Listen to your body and soul. You can hear and feel the calmness, without a word spoken. I look at Judy to see if she’s okay. I know if she is or not, without a word spoken.

When the going gets tough, we both look at each other and say, “stop, look, and listen.” This is our commitment to safety first.

More importantly

Learn!

Too many mistakes happen over and over again. Stop to revisit these mishaps and the arguments of blame. Learn from mistakes. Making the same mistake over and over again will kill you and your family.

Act!

When we act we commit. When we commit to action it means we are prepared for the worst and pray for the best. Don’t leave home without a plan.

Silver Falls speaks to me…

As I walked along the short path to the falls, with Judy right behind me, I thought about our future as aging seniors. We have been fortunate, but not without a higher power watching over us, I believe.

Now we dream together again about the next chapter of our lives, all too short to be sure. All of it looks beautiful and amazing to me, just like the last 40 years of dreaming, loving and believing we can do anything we put our sights and dreams to.

Sunset at Roddy Ranch
Silver Falls in the Spring
Mary Beth & Dan Roddy with Chigger at Roddy Ranch

About the author

Steve Sparks is a retired information technology sales and marketing executive with over 35 years of industry experience, including a Bachelors’ in Management from St. Mary’s College. His creative outlet is as a non-fiction author, writing about his roots as a post-WWII US Navy military child growing up in the 1950s-1960s.
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