Initiative

I told you I was bow-legged. Even the podiatrist said so.

Yup. So it turns out that while my feet may be mildly flat or low-arched, it's the structure of my legs that cause the discomfort or pain or whatever that I may feel after long runs or prolonged standing. And there's not much anyone can do about it, besides amputation. Nahh. The specialist gave me a better option - a pair of off-the-shelf insoles meant to last me for the time being until they can custom make several more pairs or until I stopped feeling the pain in my lower legs/feet (which is unlikely).

Even so, the temporary pair of insoles set the government back by $140 (inclusive of consultation fees). For once, I'm glad I have my 11B a.k.a SAF Smart Card. =) Guess I'll make say three or four more pairs of the more expensive custom made insoles if they help? Alright man.

In the meantime, I'll review my EX RMJ status in about two weeks' time. Not that it's stopped me from going outfield or running. Only that I've been running a lot less these days. Twice a week would be considered good enough. It's more painful to run too, with my lower legs hurting after runs. And I've been indulging in a lot more good food during the weekends too. Not that gaining calories or weight's been a problem for me, but still, some form of proper excercise would help release all the excess salt and cholesterol in my body I guess. Thankfully camp food sucks, so I eat a lot less nonsense during weekdays. Hah.

Anyway, fourteen months in the army seem to have dulled my sense of initiative and the ability to think out of the box. Not that I always had brilliant ideas in the first place. Yes I know, specialists are supposed to be commanders and leaders, thinking of and for their men and stuff like that. But we're more like messengers - intermediaries who're basically wedged in between the Officer Corps and the rank and file. So there's not much thinking involved. For me at least.

Somehow it seems to be affecting ministry work. I'm more inclined to sit around and wait for instructions rather than to initiate new ideas or things that can improve situations and/or surroundings. It's almost like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And when that happens on a widespread scale, things don't really move. Then you end up with rushed and haphazard projects and we all moan and wonder why things don't go they way they should. Yes, we should always trust God and rely on the Spirit's prompting and guidance for our ministry involvement. But not acting on that faith i.e. taking the initiative, is equivalent to praying for good results but not studying for the exams.

Ah well. I've gotta start de-rusting my brain soon.