Surely everyone runs behind schedule at some time or other. It may be a few minutes or even a few days, but I seem to have a habit of running two decades behind. In the ‘90s, I missed the ‘70s so much I virtually recreated them by wearing out my VHS set of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and listening to disco music ad nauseam. (And my then-teenaged daughter was completely ad nauseam-ed by my boogie-oogie-oogie!) Now that we’re well into the teens (or the teensies, if you prefer), I find myself longing for the ‘90s and I’m reverting to my old tricks, cueing up the ‘90s hit list on Spotify and watching reruns of Friends twice a day. (By the way, my nostalgia does not apply equally to all decades. With the exception of my daughter’s birth and those huge shoulder pads that helped balance out my big hips, there is just about nothing I care to recall from the ‘80s.)
The other night I was watching the Friends episode with Ross’s famous “couch pivot” scene where he, Rachel and Chandler try to wrestle a couch up the stairway.
I howled as Ross barked out his instructions for turning the corner, “Pivot, pivot, Pi-vaaaaahhht!” When I stopped laughing, it suddenly hit me that he was actually barking out some pretty good instructions for life as well. No matter how carefully we plan, no matter how much we anticipate progressing through life in a smooth, continuous line, it rarely plays out that way. Life seems to demand a fair amount of pivoting. At least, mine has thus far. Whether because of a baby, a cross-country move, an unanticipated divorce (and accompanying destitution) or a conscious choice, I’ve often had to make so many fast u-turns so close together that it seemed I was spinning more than pivoting. (Note to self—ask neurologist if this is how my positional vertigo started.)
A straight line may be the shortest—and often cheapest and easiest—distance between two points, but it may also be the least interesting. My circuitous route through life may have taken more time, money and patience than a straight shot would have, but for everything I think each bend in the road cost me, I gained so much in return—although many times I could appreciate the gains only in retrospect. If history is an accurate predictor of the future, I’m in for a few more twists and turns along the way. I don’t know where they will hit, but I know that when they do, I’ll be grateful that I’ve learned how to pivot right, left and about face if necessary. And should I ever find myself on a stairway with a cumbersome couch on my hands, I’ll know just what to do!
You made me laugh out loud, Lee. My response to some of life’s unexpected pivotal events is to respond like Chandler with “Shut up!” But you are so right in your assessment that these twists and turns are what personal growth if made of. As usual you have offered up humor with something to think about. Can’t wait to meet you in person in a few short weeks!
Thank you so much, Molly. I’ve actually multi-tasked through many of my necessary pivots–screaming “shut up” the whole time I was turning. I turned, but I wanted to make darn sure life knew I wasn’t happy about it! Funny thing, life really didn’t seem to care how I felt about it. :-)I am so looking forward to meeting you, too!I can’t believe the time is almost here.
Between the two of you, I should be quite busy giggling through my “pivotal” life.
Althea, will you be at Erma next month? We can all do a pivot around the bar and forget our troubles!
Ahhhh yes. I’m mod-pivot in so many facets of my life it’s terrifying….when I let it be.
I know! You are so right about “when I let it be.” Sometimes we need to let go of the fear–or at least stop thinking focusing on it. I am not skilled at that part!Thank, Carla!
Success! The error message must have been something at my end. Oh my goodness, I have pivoted so many times I could probably qualify as a ballerina! I think that is the key really – learning to pivot gracefully, as in a dance, and go with the flow of your life. Looking back, many of my unhappy times were caused by resisting a pivot that was inevitable.
Oh, I hear you on the pirouette pivot–although my pivots have mostly been too clumsily made to qualify as ballet! I think you’re so right about heartache arising from resisting and denying the inevitable instead of trying to go with it.Thanks for sticking with the comment function! 🙂
“My circuitous route through life may have taken more time, money and patience than a straight shot would have, but for everything I think each bend in the road cost me, I gained so much in return”
Loved this. And before even clicking on the link, I knew the exact show and episode you would reference. I’ve even thought of referencing this exact scene for a blog post too! 🙂
What a great combination of humor and reflection.
Thank you so much for your kind comments, Heather! I crack up at that scene no matter how many times I watch it! I just wish I’d learn to pivot more efficiently and learn that super secret pivoting maneuver guaranteed to bring health, wealth and wisdom. 😉
I saw this yesterday & didn’t have time to comment. Oh yeah, the pivot. I do like it. But it has also presented me with some challenging decision points.
Challenging decision points, indeed! I am not sure which is harder when you reach a point where you must change course–to have no choice but to pivot in a certain direction or to have too many directions to choose from.Thanks, Carol!
Life sure does throw us some plot twists…pivoting’s got the be the best way to deal with most of them. In certain instances, I’ll pivot to the fridge for a glass of chardonnay. 🙂
Ha! Hey, do you mind getting me pivoting to the table and bringing me a Hershey kiss or twelve on your way back from the fridge?
Great piece Lee! I’ve done the pivot before with both good and bad outcomes, but sometimes absolutely necessary!
Thanks, Rena. Yes, you do the best you can with the circumstances facing you, but there’s no guarantee of the outcome–I really hate that part of life! 😉
I think I was watching all of those Mary Tyler Moore videos with you — the visual image of all that pivoting — the crazy dance of life! Loved it.
We’ll have to get together and have a ’70s day sometime!Thanks so much for stopping by, Mary!
Sounds like fun!
Great way of looking at things and seeing the positives. Ahh Friends – I went through a phase of rewatching it lots last year. But to really recreate my 1990s, I would have to track down My So Called Life, & that could be harder!
Did I just read that you put shoulder pads on the positive list for the ’80s? Let me put on my mirrored florescent sunglasses and take a closer look.
Girl, when you have hips wider than the Strait of Gibraltar, you gotta compensate! 🙂
What a great reminder! Pivoting could sum up what life is all about – and remind us how to navigate successfully.
I’m telling you, Faye, I’ve pivoted myself into a vertigo attack more than once. But, like you said, that’s what life calls for many times! Thank you for stopping by!
When we are younger we tend to think we can plan so much of our life. As we get older, you begin to realize it is all about learning when and where to pivot!
Very timely to read this again – I am learning to pivot currently. Pivot, PIVOT, PIIIIVVVVVAAAAAAAAAAAAAHT!
Sounds like you may be in the Whirling Dervish stage–I’ve passed through that a time or two. keep turning and you’ll find in the right direction! XO
Who wants a straightline life? It is so much more interesting, challenging and surprising when life takes twists and turns. Love the post Lee and also I remember watching Mary Tyler Moore!
I agree, Sue. And even if you want a straight-line life, the odds aren’t good that it will work out that way! 😉
I had my fingers on the wrong keys so the comment was way more interesting than it is now that I’ve corrected it. But the bottom line: I love a good pivot. Saved my life sometimes.
If you looked back over your life with all its pivots and then look at your life again picturing a straight course … well, I would still opt for the detoured route every time! 😊 As for Friends – I wasn’t a fan but my daughter is – but funnily enough that episode was the only one I remember watching & enjoying. Funny old life 😊
Once again you mix humor and poignancy.
Wow, that means so much to me, Anna, because to me you are the QUEEN of that and you write like such a grown up, real writer! XO