Welcome,

I've missed you and writing! I didn't officially schedule a sabbatical. Regardless, my half baked sabbatical is over. Going forward, Half-Baked will be published on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

No map this issue, but stay tuned, I have an inkling that "map" section will be upgraded shortly.

Enjoy this issue,

Jan
jans@bizsmart.net
 

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Feature Article:  Same Path, Different Roads

You know, just when you think you are doing something really cool, take a look around you. You might be humbled and just find someone else pushing through bigger challenges.

I've been training for a marathon for the past few months. I think it is pretty neat and it has certainly meant much to me - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I could write  pages on the many lessons (I will one day), but not today.

This one, however, isn't about me. Alright, it is about me - kind of. If you've been reading half baked, this shouldn't surprise you. ;-) 

In training for my marathon, every other weekend I run a "very long run" - generally between 14 to 22 miles.
Sometime in February, I was out on a longer run - 16 miles on sunny, fairly mild (45° F, 7° C) day.

The route that day was a multi-purpose urban trail. It is used by walkers, runners, roller skaters, and bicyclists. I've often biked this very same route. (It is a strangely wonderful feeling to go the same distance on your legs as you did with your legs and wheels.)

Bicyclists are the most common fixtures on the trail. I crossed paths with several that day, and several others passed me from behind.

I wasn't exactly floating through the run. I had completed 12 of the 16 miles and I was feeling tired. My legs were feeling heavy. The distance was starting to make me weary.

I felt the series of fatigue induced questioning that is common in longer runs. I asked myself several questions.  How easy would it be to get a taxi back to the house? Why am I doing this? What OTHER sports would I enjoy? :-)

As I was questioning myself, a group of three cyclist passed me from behind. I quickly identified one woman and two men in the small group.

For you non-cyclists, this paragraph is for you. When you are on a bicycle and want to engage in conversation, you have to talk louder than during a normal conversation. That said, I couldn't help but hear a some of the conversation among the three riders.

Remember, I'm tired. You (the reader) pay attention now.

One of the men was talking to the other two cyclists and said this...

...when you are stronger...

That's it - that is all I heard! Everything else was a sound blur.

Now, under normal circumstances, this comment might have rolled right off me after a smile or a head nod. Or I might have even taken it to heart and realized my fatigue wouldn't exist if I was in fact stronger - which I would eventually become. But I didn't think, I just looked up.

...when you are stronger...

As I heard these words my eyes strained to see the body of the cyclist who made the comment, perhaps to acknowledge him - that was really all the energy I had at the time. My eyes moved from his back, quickly downward to where his legs attached to the pedals.

At that moment, my mouth flew open and felt my heart beat double time. I was surprised, to say the least. Sure, his comment was a good one, but the comment itself didn't lift me up. He did.

The cyclist with the sometimes mainstream comment had something most of us don't have - a prosthetic leg.

In the 7.3 seconds I could see and hear the group of three, I quickly concluded that the cyclist with a prosthetic leg was coaching the other two riders!

In watching the group of three pedal into the distance, I felt a sense of awe and a sudden burst of energy. I felt a sense of gratefulness and appreciation that I hadn't felt in a while and clearly not during this run.

I also realized that no matter how many challenges I have in my life (big or small), someone else has always gone through a bigger challenge - and succeeded!

After they were out of my sight, I wished the group back. I would have enjoyed talking with and hearing the stories of both gaining strength, and of living on the other side of...

...when you are stronger...

Interesting, as touched as I am by these words, I believe this:

One of your greatest strengths is your ability to gain strength!

I know, it sounds a little backwards. But isn't it true? It is simply human nature to gain strength, wisdom, and courage throughout life! It isn't just for the lucky ones - we can't help it.

You are already strong enough, my friend!



p.s. What do you think?  email me here!

-- Leonardo da Vinci.

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