The summer before I turned ten years old, I got knocked out twice.
Both hard hits to the head.
I've wondered if any lasting effects remain.
I've wondered if any lasting effects remain.
Sorry. My attempt at humor.
Unconsciousness defined...unable to respond to stimuli like, touch, sound, or pain.
My story, briefly...the first knock out was August, 1975. a couple of weeks before my 10th birthday. Some big guys, with a chainsaw were in the field across from Chuck's house. They had cut a tree down. We went over to see what was going on. They didn't need our help, but they didn't run us off either. So Chuck and I started throwing wood into the trailer with them. When you are a little guy, all you want to do is fit in with the big guys. Add the sound of a chainsaw, and we couldn't resist.
I was on one side of the trailer. Barry Williamson, about 17 years old at the time, was on the other side. He tossed a chunk of firewood. It either bounced, or sailed over, and hit me in the head. I recall seeing sky, and everybody standing over me. They said it knocked me out. They helped me get up and me and Chuck went on our way. I never told my parents.
That was about fifty years ago. Barry comes in here where I work. I asked him about that day recently. He's a quiet and serious guy. He said he thought he'd hurt me. It seemed like he still felt kind of bad about it. I told him, "Ahhh don't worry. I was in the wrong place. Just part of growing up!" We both smiled about it.
The second one...same summer. A couple of weeks later. Pop Warner football practice - Knock Out number two.
With a September birthday, I was playing as a ten year old. I was big for my age, and looked like I belonged out there. Also on that Bulldogs team were some motivated and angry thirteen year olds. For reasons I can't explain, the coaches had me practicing at the linebacker position. Our Fullback was Scott Fenton. He was one of the angry, motivated thirteen year olds.
As the next play developed, the O line opened up a nice gap for Scott. I got into the gap, staying low like they taught us. As I squared up to say Hello, Scott gave me my second lesson in physics in two weeks.
Water break!
A player from the defense was unconcious on the ground. I don't remember pain, just embarrassment, as I came to, as they say. The coaches wouldn't give me my helment. I found out later it cracked right above the face mask.
Next thing I knew, they got another helment, slapped me on my ten year old butt, and told me to get back in there.
I stayed with it, and made some life long friends. We had a great season and won the league. Then we went to Pulaski and beat Giles County's best team in the Butter Bowl. Joe Mullins, Charlie Neal, Leon Waller, and some other guys were our coaches. They loved football, coaching, and competing. They also yelled a lot, and pushed us to do our best.
That was my one season of football. Later in Junior High and High School, I still had size, but not the desire. The tough guys were my buddies, and years ahead of me in football experience. Pretty sure I missed some good times. We will never know.
So are there any lasting effects from those two big hits?
My sense of humor is still there. Maybe a little too much. An example...This is the coffee Drawer at work.
Does anyone else see the little face looking up at us?
My perceptions, and mannerisms are not always the same as everyone else. I understand quirky, because I are quirky.
There are other quirky people in our family. Not sure if that overlaps with any level of paranoia, anxiety, bi-polar, or other issues. Mmmm...likely.
Those are some of my favorite relatives. Growing up in that, I believe there is a thin, blurry line between, "having it all together," and not so much.
Maybe Unconsciousness, and Mindfulness are not so far apart.
Both are difficult to access, and remain in.
Sometimes in sports, a person will be described this way..."That player was unconscious out there today."
Some days excellence comes easier than others. Like you are in a zone and no one can touch you.
Let's consider Mindfulness.
That's a word I don't use much.
My buddy, Lee Deckleman uses that word alot now. His is a unique and powerful story. Below is a link to Lee addressing the Tullahoma High school Marine ROTC. "Leadership for Cadets". 48 minutes. Well worth your time to watch and listen. Motivation, instruction, and real talk from a guy that's lived it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_iSYwLEE78
This presentation, was in 2015. I'm reminded of the term, Alpha Dog. According to the Urban Dictionary...A slang term for dominant leader in a social group, characterized by being assertive, confident, and in control. Lee describes in his book, being part of Team Miami. And how that group of Alpha Dogs used their good chemistry and leadership, to have much success in Afganistan.
Another link is below, to a thirty minute interview from 2023. Lee talks about his life, and book, Internal Volume. Source: Talkin' Tullahoma with Kelly Lapczynski, a local Tullahoma Utilities Board, Lighttube cable TV show. Kelly does a great job. Lee is relaxed and living the Yoga lifestyle and attitude. His Internal Volume is noticably lower, as he is enjoying that moment, and interview, with Kelly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&app=desktop&v=iT1W1h1KPlk
Lee's childhood, military service, and adult experiences, brought him to a place where he learned to access Mindfulness, and remain in it.
My observation...Make no mistake. The Alpha Dog inside of Lee is still there. Through Yoga and Mindfulness, Lee is able to tell that dog to sit and stay on the porch. Lee has trained his mind and body to occupy a different space. Gentler and more "Hippie Like" (Lee's words).
Now Lee is a trained Yoga instructor. That lifestyle, and the Mindfulness that goes with it, is the intentional continuation of Lee's journey. His book, Internal Volume, explains that.
Internal Volume can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/INTERNAL-Where-Monster-Mindfulness-Become/dp/B09251YC1K
His story is gritty, real, and inspiring. It's a book you will not be able to put down.
If you prefer audiobooks...get it here... https://www.audible.com/pd/INTERNAL-VOLUME-Where-A-Monster-And-Mindfulness-Become-One-Audiobook/B0FXDZ69W7?srsltid=AfmBOorDJmEB7Hd-CgxhWOPYDnzaKFPHkT0MWf1bQ3qVIX-XKECL1rAj
To try to better understand the concept of Mindfulness, I found this definition..."To be present in the moment, and help quiet the mind. and cultivate a deeper connection and understanding of self."
By taking on that journey, Lee's "Internal Volume" is reduced, better regulated, and lived in.
Reading Lee's book challenges us to consider our own Internal Volume. He equips others, through yoga, and sharing his experiences to be better, and live better.
Lee's story and friendship though the years have made me a stronger, better person. I'm encouraged, and looking forward to the future. Lee, before, and after Yoga, is a guy we can all relate to and learn from.
Lee is a generous soul. Fifty percent of the proceeds from his book go to the non-profit, Be Yoga Strong, a charity dedicated to promoting well being and mindfulness practices.
If Unconsciousnees is a hard reboot, maybe Mindfulness is a soft, intentional reboot.
Either way, we have the opportunity to restart, refresh, be better, and do better.
These days, I try to stay in the moment, and encourage and cheer for others. I want to be one of "those" friends. Life, is pretty short.
Sometimes I day dream, and wonder if getting knocked out twice at an early age opened up part of my brain that was unaccessible.
Maybe it made me more quirky, or quiet, or thoughtful, or a hundred other "more" things.
Maybe it got me more of a sense of humor.
Pretty sure it didn't make me more smarter.
{ : ^ )
Maybe it didn't change a thing.
Maybe it didn't change a thing.