(From June 13, 2009)
One of the great things about cycling is that the rider’s also the engine. It’s the same in life.
A bicycle (or in my case a handcycle) is a pretty simple machine. Even with all of the high-tech materials and components, it’s still muscles, chain, gears, and wheels. The terrain varies, but that’s just part of the path. The real variable is the person pushing the pedals. The rider is the one who has to make it go.
Same thing in daily life—we make it appear complicated, but the basics don’t really change much. Circumstances vary, often beyond our control, but that’s not the significant factor. Happiness and contentment are less about what we encounter and more about how we decide to respond. It’s my life, and I’m the one who has to make it go.
We give others too much credit and blame for what happens in our lives. If you watch a bike path for a while, you’ll see an amazing variety of riders and bikes moving at different speeds, but every single rider is responsible for his own trip. Life’s the same way. Whether your machine is old and clunky or sleek and brand new, whether the road is smooth or filled with potholes, you’re still responsible for pushing the pedals.
Being my own engine, in cycling and in life, means taking responsibility for my own journey:
- If you want to go faster or farther, you have to train, get stronger, and build your endurance.
- If you always take the easy route, you won’t get any stronger. When the hills come—and they will—you won’t be prepared.
- Some days the wind’s at your back, the sun’s shining, and the ride is easy, but it’s not always like that. Some days are hard. You still have to push the pedals if you want to move forward.
- A fancy bike helps. But there’s nothing more useless than a rider with all the latest gear who’s afraid to start cranking the pedals.
It’s a lot less about talent than perseverance and hard work.
What else have you learned about being your own engine?
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