Occasionally I go for a quick run around the green in front of our house before breakfast, to keep fit, and to achieve a little clarity. Last week, probably inspired by the excitement of visiting the Anniversary Games, my son asked if he could go running with me, which was very unexpected. We’ve since gone running three times. They’re not the type of run I’m used to, to be honest, as we stop pretty often, for a few reasons. You know the kind of thing:
- To examine something important, such as a piece of litter, an insect or a cat.
- To decide our characters in a superhero/villain scenario for the next bit of running.
- To discuss route possibilities.
It’s by turns infuriating and inspiring, and has reinforced the most valuable lesson that I’ve ever learnt for public speaking, and, for that matter, life in general.
Accept when things go differently to how you’d planned, and just ‘Go With the Flow’.
Whenever I think I’ve cracked this lesson, I’m reminded that I haven’t, usually by one of my children.