Mid-April “See-Saw”
Recent Ups and Downs of my "Next Big Things"
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Hello, My Friends,
My contrasting mindsets
Slow me down,
Yet keep me moving.
Feeling lashed by the ankles
By tenacious winter cold temps.
I’m held to Winter's requirements,
Rather than moving into Spring’s possibility.
Evident for me—
As fair weather biker.
I continue indoor stationary biking.
Getting outside on bike one time,
I'm Very Aware of seat difference
Between stationary bike and My Bike Seat.
Absolutely requires tougher muscles and skin!
Extended winter lulls me into thinking
Lake Michigan bike trip wa-a-a-ay on horizon .
Not so!
Six weeks until ride start.
Arghhh!
Excited and nervous.
(Actually my usual response to new adventure.)
Last week was Toastmaster Division Competition.
I did NOT place at all in six contestants.
Oh my.
Very disappointing.
Uncanny coincidence was that contestant
Immediately proceeding me,
Spoke of her life-changing endeavor:
Triathlon, done on day of her 60th birthday!
Her fear of taking that challenge,
Her personal growth & satisfaction in the Doing,
Was story like mine ... just change the sport.
Here we both were
Recounting how personal stretch brought
Greater sense of possibility.
Expanding life.
We each told our story.
Each made our point,
Reinforcing each other's message.
(column #2)
Never expected to do that!!!
Lucky audience got double dose.
Neither triathlon speech nor mine
Won a prize.
Yet maybe we each did.
Opportunity for back-to-back message,
Unique for that competition event.
At the time, I felt as though my unique story
Was invisible in wake of her presentation.
My delivery was fine, my words where I intended them.
Inside feeling as though the "wind in my sails" had been used up
In someone else's story.
Not true, of course.
After several days of being down & disappointed,
My learning is this:
My story can remain strong, shining,
As important as I present it.
Powerful presentations before mine,
Are not diminishing.
Wish I had come to that thought sooner.
I have it now.
On to what is next!
Thinking about my "Five Keys"
Make a commitment
Get Help
Find Humor in the hard stuff
Connect with others
Re-commit, stick with your commitment.
This is in the "find humor" line!
Hugs to each of you, Lin
Limerick:
My story is "Growing through Biking,”
Her tale is "Triathlon Liking,”
We do have a pair
Of stories to share,
Metaphors for personal psyching.
After performance of "Pirates of Penzance" in Minneapolis with sone Scott and granddaughter Sequoia. (Costumes for photo furnished by theater).
Winter is hanging on. North side of our Northfield condo
South side of our condo...Snow almost all melted on this side!
Checking my calendar: only 6 weeks to be ready for June ride!
