I’m the fastest handcyclist in my neighborhood.
I love riding my bike. I’m grateful for the freedom and the opportunity to work out and train as part of this amazing dream. When I go out for a training ride with all the other handcyclists in my neighborhood, every hill I conquer and every increase in speed are cause for celebration.
If you’ve followed along you know I enjoy the solitude of long rides by myself. That’s a good thing, because I’m also the only handcyclist in my neighborhood.
However, the FREEDOM TOUR happens as a team, so every year in the weeks leading up to the tour we organize group training rides. My friends would love to have me as part of the group and I’d love to ride along, but I face a difficult reality. No matter how hard I try, I can’t keep up. I simply can’t crank fast enough for even a moderately-paced training ride.
As soon as I can’t keep up with the group, my entire attitude changes. Why? I’m trapped by comparison.
Comparison is a nasty enemy. Riding alone I can push myself up a climb and enjoy the view at the top. Riding with others I wish to be faster, stronger, better. The moment I compare I lose the joy. I cease being grateful for what I have because I want just a little more.
Maybe you’re thinking my problem is only because I’m the slow guy. If I was faster, comparison wouldn’t be such a bad thing. But the same dynamic always creeps in. As long as you compare it’s not okay to have something, you have to get a little more than the other guy. It’s not okay to get up the hill, you have to get up the hill faster than the other guy.
Comparison is always about a scoreboard. There’s always a winner…and a loser.
Games need scoreboards. Nothing wrong with winners and losers if you’re playing a game or running a race.
But everywhere else, comparing and competing are deadly because whatever you have, it’s not enough. It’s about being richer, thinner, just a little better in some way than the other guy.
I love riding my bike. I’m grateful for all that comes with cycling, and I don’t want to lose that joy and gratitude to comparison.
How about you? Where do you get caught in comparison’s trap?
Please leave a comment here.
Competition is a “natural” thing and we are to strive to be the very best! I love being better, faster or stronger! We all do! Often times THAT is really our downfall. By Go’s grace, I have changed my perspective. I am the striving to be the very best ME for my Lord! That is what He wants! I often times have to get “myself” out of His way to do His best. I am my worst enemy. I must “let go and let God” and trust that He knows best. (I sure don’t!). Sometimes NOT being the best in man’s eyes is exactly what our Creator requires of us. Who is man that we should desire to please him? What is the real goal?
Just my two cents…
LaVeta
I should have proof read!
By God’s grace….
Hey LaVeta, I think we’re saying the same thing. You and I want to grow, which means getting better each day. That’s different from comparing ourselves to someone else, I think.