10:47 p.m. | 2005-10-05 Take Five. I stubbed my little toe recently and broke it. I’ve sufficiently babied it for a week or so before today. For whatever reason, I decided to step into heels this morning. Which is when I realized that I haven’t been relying so much on that toe. Strangely, I didn’t change shoes which either makes me a masochist or really, really tired. I think it’s the latter. Things have slowed up considerably and enough that I could have lunch with BestestGirlfriend (BG). BG and I decided to make the most of it and dine for America. We chose a restaurant that contributed 100% of our meal ticket. It’s a new, rather expensive place and we weren’t disappointed. And, I must say, I can always eat for a good cause. Of course that’s not saying much since I can eat for no cause at all. But still. It used to be the case that, over lunch, BG and I would attempt to solve the problems of the world. Now, we focus on our own problems. That’s certainly more productive and appropriate. Oh, and infinitely more entertaining. We tend to be bumbling fools when it comes to our own difficulties. Well, I really should only speak for myself… I’m a bumbling fool when it comes to my own personal situations. But not so much anymore. I’ve got a new sense about myself. I’m much calmer, thank goodness, and level-headed. I’ve become much more proactive rather than reactive. There’s definitely a strong power in that shift in balance. I’m also much more compassionate. I’ve always been empathetic with others but my compassion runs more deeply since I’ve turned my attention away from myself. On an emotional level, I’ve become much more adept at “walking a mile in another’s shoes” as has BG. On a physical level, ironically and typically, both of us still continue to excel at walking on each others’ shoes. When we’re together, the klutz factor always brings us down to earth. Often literally. Keeps us humble I suppose. your thoughts? seed flower