Go Beyond

   Several years ago I read a story by Linda Ellerbee in which she lamented the loss of a friend. The disappearance happened in the summer they had agreed to set a new record together — to see how high they could swing on the backyard swing-set. Everyday they practiced, their little bare feet pumping back and then quickly swooping forward and up toward the sky to increase momentum, higher and higher. This would be the summer. And then, tragedy struck. Linda’s friend disappeared, never to be seen again for the rest of the summer.

   Ellerbee said that she witnessed the kidnapping. She saw it all happen and knew the exact location where her friend was being held for ransom. The crime occurred early that summer when her friend’s Dad brought home a television (in the days when no one had televisions). This new nanny kept her best friend tethered inside the house for the entire summer. From that day on, Linda went to the swing set alone.

   Years after Ellerbee’s childhood friend was kidnapped, British long distance runner William Lindesay determined to set his own record — to be the first foreigner to run the entire distance of the Great Wall of China. Wow. I’ve visited the Great Wall eleven times and each time its magnificence and magnitude still takes my breath away. In 1987, Lindesay completed this remarkable feat of strength and endurance. Since then, he has become a key advocate for the conservation of the Great Wall and its environs.

   Lindesay recorded his amazing adventure in his book, Alone on the Great Wall. In the opening paragraph of the book he wrote these sobering words: “My experience is that unless you make a commitment opportunities pass by. Life seemed full of people who talked about achievement yet never did anything more adventurous than watch television.” Lindesay and Ellerbee both understood the bewitching power of television. It can hypnotize us into thinking that watching is the same as doing. It can gently lull us into loosening our grip on our goals and putting off the pursuit of the great adventures that await us on the outside. Its currents can erode our lives away one-half hour segment at a time.

   Did you notice what happened when Hurricane Ike rudely reached into our comfortable suburban homes and unplugged our televisions with his windy hand? People emerged zombie-like, dazed and confused, not knowing what to do with their time. And then, they started conversing with one another and lending a helping hand — until the kidnapper was awakened from slumber and ordered everyone back inside.

   Don’t wait for another hurricane to release you from bondage. Take charge. Put down the remote and go remote. Great adventures await you. Go join a friend on a swing set and swing for the sky.

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PS | I am headed to Kurdistan in northern Iraq on Sunday. I am not sure I will have internet access where I am going. If I do, I’ll be sure to post from Iraq, so check back often.