Prepared for another appeal to my spiritual side, I sank deep into thought about theism and its possible role in my life. My airplane reading material was a dense book on Tibetan Buddhism. Determined to explore more ways to temper my penchant for anxiety and seemingly endless quest for staying centered, I figured, apart from running what the hell else can I do to relax my racing mind?!? ;)
This morning, I was reminded of the power of comedy.
Along the Marikina riverbank, I came across a father and his two sons. Slim and fit, Dad ran along side one son and pushed the other along. Each was 'healthy' and the older son was NOT so thrilled about the forced outing. He kept falling behind and I decided to run with him (see below, the boy in the blue shirt)
To be sure, the sight of this father and his two sons was comedy in and of itself. But instead of sharing a private laugh and moving along, I asked the father where they planned on meeting ending their run and that I would just meet him there with his son. It probably wasn't the best idea to leave his son alone with the likes of someone like me, but ever the trusting Filipino man, he did.
Me: So, let's just jog, ok? And feel free to walk whenever you're tired. Sound ok?
Boy: I hate running.
Me: I don't blame you, I didn't like it too much either when I was your age. Do you play any sports?
Boy: No.
Me: Hmm, wanna switch iPods? Either that or we can just chat if you'd like...
Boy: My god, you're so white. Why are you out running?? You'll get dark!
Me: *rolls eyes*
Before I hand over my iPod, I switch it up to one of my favorite playlists...an old school Rocky and other random hip hop playlist that gets the heart pumping. Here kid, I think to myself, if this doesn't get your ass movin' I don't know what will!
Meanwhile, when I throw on his headphones, I discover a dark truth: this kid has been hanging out with too many Karaoke crazed, middle aged Filipinos. He was listening to non other than MY ENDLESS LOVE! When I look at him, he eeks out a grin and asks, "what"?
All I could do was laugh at the audacity of trying to run with such a song. So, I asked the inevitable - Are you listening to My Endless Love because of your girlfriend?!
He responds, "I'm listening to My Endless Love because I don't have a girlfriend...the girl I like doesn't even know I'm alive."
I thought, buck up, kid, you should stay away from us until you're about thirty. Thanks for the good time, though!
By the time I dropped him off, his Dad appeared pretty hell bent on taking me home and introducing me to his eldest son...although I declined the possibility of meeting my endless love, I definitely achieved some semblance of "center" hanging out with my boy in blue!
