Something precious

Throughout our lives i am certain that journeys are given to us to reveal a various cocktail of things, our character, our hopes and dreams, our abilities and even our determination, yet none of these journeys can be greater than to win a trophy for our achievement's on completion, for me....the greatest reward is that of a good woman's heart. I am not comparing a woman's heart to a trophy or am i? A trophy is a symbol of a sense of achievement, honour, determination hard work and a focus that goes un-distracted. The reward that I aim for is to be allowed into that very secret place in a woman's heart. They all have one, its part of what being a woman is. But to get to that place, if the heart is worth the journey then the heart is worth the sacrifice.

When a long distance runner searches for a race, im sure that he searches for the one that would give him the most honour. That people would be in awe that he had achieved such a pain staking journey to the finishing line, that his endurance would be without doubt visible to even the untrained eye. How many of us can actually run a marathon? 26 miles of pounding step after step onto the hard concrete of city streets, despite the weather conditions, despite the muscle aches and most definitely despite the "wall". They say, that when a runner is near to the end of his race he hits this invisible "wall" that challenges him or her more than the race itself. At this point is where you see their true character. Do they quit, or do they continue? Do they rest and be overtaken by another competitor or do they fight with everything they have left within them. The only way through that wall is to draw strength on the times and challenges that have gone before them. You can't have a tomato without having a tomato plant grow the tomato. This takes time, watering, tender loving care and endurance and to find a way of battling against the storms of life. The reward of crossing that finishing line for the runner is their focus, its what they have spent days, weeks, months training for, and when they do cross that line they can sleep peacefully knowing that they ran the race and didn't give up, that they kept focussed on their reward despite the obstacles.

So if the reward of crossing that final line is their focus, how much more can the reward be for winning someone's heart? If the heart is given instantly, then the giver dosen't realise the preciousness of it. But if the woman knows how special her heart is then in her wisdom she will hold onto it until she is absolutely certain that the man has run the race and has the endurance and commitment to continue despite distractions, obstacles, easier races and even feelings of doubt of their own abilities.

I can not speak for all males, but for me.......to be allowed into that secret garden, then it is going to cost me something, in fact it will cost me alot personally and if it dosen't then she is not worth it. It is going to push me to my limits, the journey will reveal to me my own abilities and strengths and weaknesses, but if i stay focussed on my reward then i have the same chance as anybody else, but without knowing if i will cross that finish line and not allowing my own doubts to trip me up along my way, then to run with my head held high and constantly looking at what i want needs to be the rules for this race.

Even if i do get to that place in a woman's heart it does not mean that i could give up and put my feet up and think "i'm here, you are not moving me out" NO! The journey to that special place is only the beginning. In fact, i think it is easier to get there than it is to stay there. Especially if there are past hurts floating around, then it will be a constant journey of paying attention, observing and learning every minute of every day.

A few years ago while in the funeral trade i witnessed something that has stayed with me. One day we got a call to go pick up a deceased man from his home, and upon arrival we found notes on the table by the front door to the milkman, the newspaper boy and the electric company, notes of final payment for the outstanding amounts. My colleague and i walked into the front room and it was there that it took my breath away. The husband had heart problems and was given a few months to live, but his wife couldn't bear to be without him and on the sofa were two elderly people holding hands, both taken the same amount of pills and overdosed 15 seconds apart. This spoke of lots of things to me, love, commitment, togetherness but it spoke of something else which i have just realised in the last 2 minutes......it spoke of him running the race, the race to stay in her secret place. He had to work to stay there, but she allowed him. That picture of these two people stays in my mind and i am grateful and so privileged to witness not only love, but completeness on that Sunday morning.

I do have a woman in mind that has actually without even knowing it been the inspiration for this particular story and when i think about her, when i look at her, it dawns on me very quickly that i need to get into training and although i do not even know if i will cross that finishing line, i do know this....if i don't train, if i don't try, if it dosen't cost me something then i will never know what it is like to be in that secret place of a woman's heart. I am sure that the reward of winning a race becomes more precious with every step taken.

The un-nerving thing about starting this particular journey is that it has two parts, the first...... is that i know however hard i work the final decision will be hers, and second .....just like a marathon, i know i am not the only competitor. The reward is her heart....... which can only be described as something precious.


When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong.

I'd go hungry, I'd go blind for you
I'd go crawling down the aisle for you
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love.

The storms are raging on a rolling sea
Down the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
But you ain't seen nothing like me yet.

There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy, make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love

Make you feel my love - Bob Dylan


© Travelling Boy content belongs to Philip D Norris