An Inspiring Story About A Simple And Inspiring Routine
Jacob Alexander: King of Golden Gate Park.
In today’s busy world, Alexander is a throwback to the pleasantries of the past — to a simpler time when saying hello to a stranger on the street was the thing to do, not the thing to avoid.
People now “are wrapped up in doing what they’re doing, maybe thinking about other things, maybe they’re just too much in a hurry, they want to get to where they are going and back,” says Golden Gate Park gardener Jerry Colombana.
“But not Jacob,” says Colombana, who met Alexander 14 years ago by the tulip garden near the ocean. “He’s on a trip around the world and whenever he gets there he gets there. He’s got time for everybody he meets up with.”
Routine activities, done just for the joy of them. Those are great ways to put fitness and wellness back into our lives.
I’ve met Jacob, and have seen him on his walks. I used to do T’ai Chi in the mornings in the pan handle, and he also used to come into the stores were I worked when I worked on the Haight; Pacific Pharmacy before it closed, and the Ben & Jerry’s on Haight & Ashbury. Does my heart good to know he’s still out there.
2 Responses to “An Inspiring Story About A Simple And Inspiring Routine”
Comment from Travis
Time October 3, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Thanks for the kind words, April. As a fellow blogger I know you know how much they mean. 
I am looking at Shadowplay right now. Cool stuff. I will be adding it to the links on my main blog.
Cheers!
Comment from April Belle
Time October 2, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Wow, what an inspiring guy! Nice to see your new blog – love the focus here. I’ll be back often!
My partner is so bad at the cool down portion of exercise (your previous article). I tell him over and over to walk around the block if nothing else! But for some reason, he thinks walking up and down the driveway is enough – drenched in sweat and breathing hard. Argh! I’m going to show him your article…
(Btw, I’ve got a new blog focus as well! I’m exploring the role of the shadow and finding so much inspriation personally and spiritually. I found that my writing blog – The Little Writer – was just killing my muse, so for now, I’m keeping that a more personal journey. Anyway hope you drop by Shadowplay and say hello! I’m going to add your new blog to my Google Reader!)