Sea Legs, Train Legs and The Oddities of Balance

Sea Legs (pl.n.) The ability to adjust one's balance to the motion of a ship, especially in rough seas.

Last night, on our way home from work, I proudly showed my officemate my impeccable ability to stand all poised and sure of myself on a moving train without having to hold on to the railings.

"Sea Legs," she said. "It's called Sea Legs. Have you ever encountered that word before?"

I said I haven't, all sheepish, as she proceeded to explain what the idiom means. Sailors, after living on ships for so long, have gotten so used to the wild rocking and swaying of their boats that they've mastered the art of shifting their weights to keep their balance. They no longer needed to hold on to anything to keep their foothold.

"I must have Train Legs, then," I thought. Or maybe I said that out loud, I don't quite remember. But the fact is it stuck to me - Sea Legs and Train Legs. It must be an amazing gift to be able to stay on your feet and keep your balance in the midst of tumultuous waves, and it was quite an amusing thing to think that I have managed to grow Train Legs unconsciously. That's what years of riding on a train does, I think.

I have to be honest. Being the awkward corporate virgin that I am, this whole matter of moving to a new job, in an industry that is probably at the opposite end of the spectrum of what I am used to, has found me holding on tightly to whatever cable, bar or seemingly sturdy fixture that I can find. I seriously admire the guys around me who seem to be unfazed by whatever motion this Corpo Ship goes through. It's an amazing feat to stay balanced, what with all the gargantuan waves I'm sure they've met in the past.

Of course, like everything else (I hope) I'm sure it just takes a matter of time for me to find my center and keep myself standing upright - I just hope I don't embarrass myself when abrupt turns and giant tsunamis come my way and topple me over. If ever I do, I hope I manage to laugh at my aching butt and stand up again.

I'm sure it's gonna come. After all, I managed to grow Train Legs without me knowing it. I guess I just have to be patient for my Corporate ones to come with every ebb and flow that we sail through.