If you’ve ever walked along a river's edge after a spring rain, you know what it’s like to feel stuck, feet sinking inches deep, each step a chore as you work to free yourself from the sticky dark mass that sucks you deeper in as you struggle.
Not too long ago, I was in a pretty significant car accident whereby my car was totaled and I sustained some permanent injuries that prevent me from running as my primary form of exercise, so I turned to my childhood joy of cycling. Initially, I was exhausted after just a few short miles. It didn’t help that my bike was ages old and was in desperate need of a tune-up.
Fortunately, the accident was not my fault so I was awarded enough to replace my clunker with a pretty stellar lightweight bike that has features like hydraulic brakes and suspension so that when I go over rough terrain my neck is relatively supported.
Even though I have certain limitations, I find myself being really grateful as I’m trekking along and pass others with a certain ease. I want to encourage them as they press on, “its not me, it's my bike!”, or “I’ve been there too”.
Of course, everything is put into even greater perspective as the unknown, yet familiar gentlemen well beyond retirement years zooms by me going uphill each morning. And then there are the days when I’m moving so slow…even on my amazing bike, that flies are landing on me. That’s when I feel truly insulted.
We can feel like we are stuck, falling behind, or not quite where we want to be in life. There is always going to be someone behind us and someone ahead. It’s important to keep our eyes on our own journey, realizing that pace and position will change even day to day. We just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and we’ll begin to notice we’ve gained some ground. We all have to start somewhere.