 In less than 7 weeks, I'll be "running" this race! It's been a journey for me since signing on the dotted line in January of this year! I, along with two great friends and current Irongirls, have decided to do what we didn't think was possible (at least that goes for ME!) complete this sprint triathlon. I've seen the race completed a couple of times; at times wondered: "what is it that makes someone want to put themselves through this?," and have walked away unchanged except for the admiration for those "winners!" So, how did I push the "send" button? As a coach, I often challenge my clients to do what they didn't originally think was possible, and watch their courage in executing their success. We use their belief system and "habits" that were cultivated to apply to other challenges in life. I believed that in completing this race, I would execute a cascade of possibilities I never even imagined. So, when my bicycle coach today talked about "cadence" and "transition," it somehow resonated with me. In cycling, it's about the "RPM... revolutions per minute" and trying to hold them constant to get the most efficiency out of your body. It's a rhythm of sorts. Now, in the comfort of my air conditioned home, I think "isn't that what life is? Finding that rhythm... not overreacting to one thing or obsessing about one idea, but to find that natural flow of what we want our life to be?" Pedaling through the hills and valleys and shifting up or down in anticipation of what might come next. Today, I learned to shift up my back ring (to higher gears) so that I could shift down my front ring (lower gear) while still keeping the same effort. If I try to shift down with my rear gears low, then I start spinning like there's no resistance, and I also risk my chain coming off my bike. What a great metaphor... life is not about not having resistance.... it's about feeling the road; knowing that your muscles will be working hard; that your breathing is important, and that sometimes, pressing through the pain can help you keep going. With no resistance, we can fall or spin our wheels and go nowhere. It reminds me of the saying that "Kites fly against the wind.... not with it." So, I will be working on flow, rhythm, and cadence over the next several weeks, to help my ongoing transitions in life and in health. I will remember to shift up or down to allow me to press on and be successful! How are you using cadence and transitions in your life? I'd love to hear from you!.... and perhaps I'll see you out on the road! |
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"Even with our eyes open we often go through our life asleep. We dream of what yesterday was or what tomorrow will be, all the while missing out on the opportunities to create tremendous joy and breakthroughs right this moment."
I've not written in a while..... happily, I can say that my business has started to take off and I am enjoying coaching leaders and physicians in being the best leaders they can be. As I reflect on the flash that this year seems to have been, and as I deal with a family health crisis, I am reminded of the fragility of life, and the preciousness of the present moment. How easy it is to obsess about the past, or worry about the future, yet miss what's right in front of us! For the past few weeks, I have thought of the real possibility of losing my husband to a life disabling or life-ending illness. As we take one day at a time and proceed with life-saving treatment, I marvel at how I've lived more in the present recently, than I ever have. At a recent Center for Spiritual Living service, I heard that worry is "negative prayer." That we have to believe and "know" on a deep level, and act "as if" what we really want in the world is a "done deal." I must admit that, like meditating, making that belief a habit is easier said than done. I've started to journal again and find great relief in putting my thoughts down on paper. My fears seem a bit less scary when I get them out of my head and in to my never judging, always accepting journal. For some reason today, I decided not to turn on music, and just listened to the pouring rain outside, and the noise of my husband's movement around the house in the background. The rain finally slowed down and I was aware that, if the music had been playing, I wouldn't still hear the patter of the raindrops against the window and pavement, nor would I hear that ever comforting sound of my husband's presence. I can't say that I've totally embraced and welcomed this journey of dealing with my husband's illness, yet I am seeing the gifts that the journey is providing, and am grateful for those. And, in changing my view, I know that the universe will provide a world of possibilities! If you've traveled a similar path, I welcome your comments and insights! http://bit.ly/f4FevJ
This was shared by a friend and is a beautiful and inspiring reflection on nature, blessings, and the difference some color can add to our lives. How do you add color to your daily living? I'd love to hear your stories!  American Falls and Maid of the Mist I celebrated my 21st wedding anniversary recently at Niagara Falls, Canada. Being an avid photographer (www.canvasjoy.com), I took hundreds of pictures of the falls. Every time I thought I "saw" the falls, I'd reach a different vantage point and find a different perspective. Each time, I'd say: "this is the most beautiful representation of the falls....," and each time, I'd be proven wrong as I found another view which was even more spectacular!  Horseshoe Falls up close What I love about coaching is that my main purpose is to discover that which is most beautiful about my clients... and, perhaps, help to be the mirror that reflects that beauty back to them. Suspending judgment, and seeking that which is there to celebrate, whether in individuals or in nature, has served me well. I challenge you to discover what is beautiful about the people in your life.... and, when you find someone with whom you're experiencing some conflict, challenge yourself to see: "am I really 'seeing' this person?" "What am I missing and not seeing?" Change your view...... and witness the miracles that come into your life!  American Falls Rainbow  Spectators...... Preakness Hot Air Balloon "Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen."
Robert Bresson I dragged my husband out of bed last Saturday to see the hot air balloons take off for the annual running of the Preakness. This would seem like nothing out of the ordinary if you didn't know that we had traveled to Albuquerque last fall and did the same thing for the Hot Air Balloon Festival, last day, and the weather prohibited the balloons from taking off. So, this was going to be it! This was our due! We arrived at Turf Valley around 6:05am and it was a gorgeous, sunny day, with many folks gathering for the same reason. We saw some balloons inflating and joined the hundred other photographers hoping to get the perfect shot! We later learned that, once again, the weather was going to be our enemy and that the winds were too much up high, and they were blowing in the direction of the airport..... I guess I have to concede that that might have resulted in some difficulties... planes and hot air balloons...... Still, due to the graciousness of the pilots, a handful did inflate their balloons so folks would not be totally defeated. I managed to shoot 58 pictures, regardless... and later came home to see what I got. What you see here, was my favorite.... while I was thinking that I'd get the beauty of the inside of the balloon...and it was a very colorful balloon, what I loved far more was the shadow of other photographers on the outside of the balloon..... what might never have been seen is the "balloon's perspective." How many times in life do you think you know for sure what someone else is thinking or judging, when, after some exploration and dialogue, find to be something different! Practice seeing another perspective..... you never know what shadows may be revealed and what miracles may appear! Those of you who live in the Baltimore/Washington Area know what kind of winter we had this year (2009-2010). Well, one day in February, a sunny, somewhat warm day (relatively speaking), I decided to go for a hike to clear my head and help make some decisions re: career moves.
I went on a trail not too far from my home, one I had been on once in the past.... the trail was pretty wet and muddy, as you can imagine, and I needed to go off to the sides to avoid sinking and getting my shoes totally ruined. I had hiked for about an hour, didn't have any epiphanies, so I decided to go along a bit further on this other trail, unfamiliar to me. After hiking for approximately 2 hours, and getting a bit weary, I decided I wanted to return to my car..... only to find that I couldn't find the trail markers, heard the car noise so knew I was close to a road, but had no idea which way to go..... Thanks to my Iphone (I should call Apple and give them this testimonial....), I used the compass and map to locate my car, and blazed my own trail to return to my car.... and that was the ONLY way I was able to find it! I ended up hiking a mile and a half on the road to get to my car........ So much for clearing my head, I thought! And, then I paused to reframe: "hmmm, maybe sometimes the road isn't always clear, and there are obstacles in your way, but if your vision is clear, and you use guides along the way, eventually, you reach your destination!" Changing my view helped provide a needed perspective for the adventure I was about to take! How can changing your view.... support changes you'd like to make???  Ahh, can't wait! I went away recently to a beautiful timeshare resort in Hilton Head, SC. To my amazement, there were not just one, but two, huge jacuzzi tubs in the villa! I love to take jacuzzi baths, with the jets particularly focused on my lower back and shoulders. And, I really love taking them in hotels where I don't have to clean the tub after I use it! So, here I am, filling the tub, with excited anticipation for the experience I'm about to have. Click on picture for larger view.  What's wrong with this? Here's the tub without water in it, in case you couldn't see clearly.... You'll notice the jet placements. Well, again, I was just so excited that I jumped in the tub and planted myself smack in the middle of this luxurious bath. Soft music was playing, it was going to be heavenly.... until, I really began to sweat (and I hate sweating), and I noticed that I wasn't really getting the spray on my lower back as I had hoped. I began to think: "what's wrong with this tub?" Here I had all these high expectations of how I was going to luxuriate in the warmth, and vibrating comfort of the jets against my sore shoulders and back, and it wasn't working!! Notice.......... "IT wasn't working........"
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AuthorJoy Goldman is an avid photographer, and perpetual seeker of positive and inspiring views. She has spent much of her life, regardless of career expression, in finding what's positive, and using that to serve others. As a lifelong learner, Joy lives the principles she teaches, and challenges herself to be a model for the courage, humility and authenticity she requests of others. Archives
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