Today we re-learned a valuable life lesson.
You know this lesson. One can only survive for so long on determination and adrenaline. If you want to keep going long term, you have to refill the bucket.
Bucket-filling takes many forms, but generally I find that I need to recharge myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
When we planned this project we accounted for that reality by building two rest days per week into our schedule. Those days were supposed to allow physical recovery, but also time to catch up on blogging, email, and the myriad of logistical details.
Unfortunately, for many reasons, things haven’t worked as we envisioned. Today it caught up with us.
I didn’t ride, but we backtracked for a speaking gig in Keokuk. Then we had to find a bike shop to make a few minor adjustments, which took longer than you’d think in an unfamiliar city. After driving to our new destination in Bowling Green, we realized we’d spent the entire day doing
stuff. Still had to blog, email, plan tomorrow’s route, …
For the first time since we began, I’m pretty sore and emotionally drained. Neither of us has taken time for normal morning quiet time, and the cumulative effects are beginning to show.
Our buckets are just about empty.
I’m not complaining. Tomorrow I get to take a bike ride—things could be a lot worse. We’ll get to St Louis this weekend, and for now the schedule appears more settled.
It’s a lesson learned. If you want to travel well, you can’t go full speed with no recovery time. That works in a short sprint, but life’s a marathon. No matter how determined you are, you can’t run a marathon on empty.
If you want to travel well over the long term, you gotta refill the bucket.
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Where’s Rich? Today This Week
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Hey there strangers! Decided I should finally check in on all y’all and see how you were doing. Sounds like all is well minus a few bike repairs and nothing a little encouragement and powerbars can’t fix! Keep on truckin’ man and when you get tired, harness that “service dog” and make him earn his kibbles and bits! 🙂 Don’t worry Monte, I’m just kidding. The scenery looks pretty good from the pictures – How’s the weather holding up? Are you digging the new bike? As for things back home, training is going well, only two weeks left. It is flying by and you will be happy to know, I am actually getting up early in the morning, just like a teacher’s schedule. Miss you guys! Keep those cranks turning and tell your wife you love her! My final bit of encouragement today is there is a brand new unopened bottle of Templeton’s Rye Whiskey just waiting for you to enjoy when you come home! Catch you later Iowans! Love, Tom.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:20
Hi Rich,
It sounds like God has appointed you a day of rest :). I am always encouraged by your journey and your words. The weather here in the St. Louis area is gorgeous today as you will or do know and it should continue as you travel through this stretch of your journey. No beautiful mountains like you have at home..but lots of beautiful trees 🙂 Our son lives in Wellington and attends the same church as you, which is how I learned of your endeavor. We also have a grand-daughter who lives in WI and has Muscular Dystrophy, so I totally relate to the struggles you encounter. You are an inspiration of God’s hope, determination and strength…our prayers are with you. I hope these Words will ‘refill’ your Spirit..He is our true source for refreshment when we are running on empty and rejoicing when we are filled! God Bless You and all who are supporting you!
Psalm 107:8-9
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Wondering when that time would hit…but thanks for transparency……been praying actually for that specifically. Not to hit a wall, but for protection for all of you (Rich, Becky and Monte) when you hit it. I know (from personal experience!!!) that God allows us to get to the end of ourselves (too often) so that we finally recognize that trying to do life without Him can just get uuuuugly!!
So my prayer will continue for safety, protection and peace over all of you in mind, body and spirit.
“I am strong, courageous, and firm; I fear not and am not in terror, for it is the Lord my God Who goes with me; HE will NOT fail me or forsake me.” Deut. 31:6
“Unless the Lord had been m help, I would soon have dwelt in silence. When I said, my foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, held me up. In the multitude of my (anxious) thoughts within me, YOUR comforts cheer and DELIGHT my soul.”
Psalm 94:17-19