But really. What's stopping you? What's stopping you from trying a new activity? What's stopping you from reaching for a dream? What's stopping you from being awesome?
Now before you write this post off as just some self-help sugary garbage. Know that I struggle with this concept as well. I know I should be better. I know I shouldn't eat that 2nd piece of pizza, but yet I do. Shoot, I'll eat the entire thing. I struggle with tough days at work where I come home and all my ambition to do ANYTHING other than sit on the sofa is GONE. I try to feel like my worth is real, but some days are tough. For those days I'm grateful for family and friends. I'm grateful that I'm not alone on a journey. Perhaps one of the most freeing realizations I've had is understanding we are all in progress. None of us are perfect. None of us are really truly normal.
But back to the question at hand. One of the comments I hear the most often about my bike adventures is "I could never _________" Most commonly it's I could never ride that far. My question back is "Why not? What is stopping you?" It's easy to just see the barriers and not see the path through them. It may not be straightforward and it often isn't easy However, there is often a way. I had to find it. It's only just been over two years since my injury when for months after I couldn't even walk. It was incredibly frustrating, almost humiliating. All I wanted to do was to take a step but I couldn't. Those first miles weren't easy, and they certainly weren't fast. But I fought through them, I fought on and on, and I found a way around the barrier.
Sometimes I catch myself using the phrase "I could never." The one that first comes to mind for me is riding in the winter months. I could never. I've had a realization lately that I think is important in redefining this phrase. Is it "couldn't" or is it "won't"? Using "couldn't" leaves the burden of effort on the person you're talking to. They are the ones who are different. They are the ones who are doing something not normal. However, won't changes the argument entirely, and the barriers shift dramatically when using that new phrasing.
Who knows. As of the writing of this article, I won't be riding this winter, but when I think of it that way....... what's stopping me?
'till next time
-Matt
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