I went to the Ragbrai announcement party the other night. If you have ever had the desire to ride the whole week of Ragbrai or even just a day – this is the year. It’s up this way, Northern Iowa, and flat. Janel, for years told me I should ride Ragbrai, and when I was heavy, it didn’t sound fun – it sounded like work. I also thought that she was oddly obsessed with riding bikes … “it can’t be that enjoyable” I thought. I told her on Saturday night – “I get it now – riding has changed me.” I can’t exactly explain it, but riding my bike is transformational. It’s bigger than just exercise for me; it’s a one with nature and God thing. Big stuff. And I like it.
I think life is filled with these “nature and God things”. It’s up to us to grab on and take advantage of them. Hindsight is 20/20 – meaning that “if I knew then what I know now” … we’d do things different if we had the knowledge of the transformative power of taking advantage of opportunities. Cy Wakeman used to tell us – fear stands for False Events Appearing Real. Basically, we psych ourselves out all the time. We get all afraid of the potential of failure we talk ourselves out of trying. Failure isn’t bad – I’ve always said I’m glad I was fired a couple of times in life, because they represent me taking chances and learning lessons.
So this is the time of running hard, banging into trees, sloshing through the snow or mud or rain … all in an effort to move forward to experience. Experience riding, running, laughing, crying … living life. Will you get fired, hurt, banged up? Yep, but you’ll be moving forward in life, and all the time, transforming yourself into something amazing. Good luck, Godspeed, and enjoy the journey!!!
