It is a crisp fall morning. A deep ruby-red sunrise shares its splendor with a few blackened clouds. My Honda is purring like a resting puma as we climb a hill presenting this magnificence. I am filled with awe and gratitude as the giant fir trees stand at attention making a hole for my passage. I slip through and park my bike at the club, anxious and prepared for the chore that is next on my to-do list. Our Saturday spin class.
In the good-old days we used to do a 90 minute set, and for a brief period even a two-hour morning monster. Long gone are those days of two water bottles and an energy bar. Now we make due with the standard hour despite my relentless promotion of the aforementioned endurance rides. Still, we play the hand.
I have been getting descent mileage out of a pair of patently pithy preachings. I will share them with for your consideration.
PPP1: There are two types of character traits in almost all of us, defined as A) The patience we have when we have nothing, and B) Our attitude when we have everything. Alright, it is a exaggeration to suggest that someone, anyone, literally has nothing - so there must be a greater truth hiding in there somewhere between the superlative and the literal. I think it is that to get to the something that we see as everything implies that we need to act in a consistent and focused way that allows for the process to manifest as improvement, growth and eventually success, victory, and/or the obtainment of our goals. Have patience - keep working and keep the faith - but enjoy the process on the path as much as you will one day enjoy the view from the top of the mountain. Another way of putting this conundrum is the zen of realizing that we actually have nothing. The patience is in the process along the rough and rocky road leading to enlightenment. To refresh, that can happen at sunrise, in the gym, on your moto or sitting at your desk as easily as it can happen as you sit zazen, pray or sing in the church choir. Patience will get us through - and especially through the tough parts. Patience is just another word for nothing left to lose. And with apologies to Mr. Kristofferson it is right up there with freedom as a virtue.
PPP1.2: I really like this one. Close your eyes right now and consider what would happen to your current situation should you suddenly have the Genie grant you your one wish of having everything. You have it all master; money, a house on the river, six cool cars, a jet, an indoor pool, your own recording studio, a masseuse, a brilliant mind, a loving partner and perfect children. You pay no taxes and dabble daily in philanthropy and polo. I could go on but you get the idea. What single characteristic would then be the true test of your pending enlightenment? BINGO. Attitude. And, needless to say, by that we mean a GOOD attitude.
The juxtaposition of those two fits nicely into the class motivation as we need patience to withstand the reality of exercise physiology and how it works (slowly) and attitude when intensity and endurance call for it. A legitimate thunder and lightening one-two punch.
PPP2. Practice as if you have never won and play as if you’ve never lost. Patience to improve, attitude for situational awareness, dedication to the principles of continual improvement and game-day swagger will get you as close to your goals, be they short term wins or long term happiness streaks, as anything that Amazon.com could ever deliver.
Class is over. Endorphins flow. Takes on yesterday’s senate confirmation circus exchanged. I head out to the Honda for the gleeful ride home.
Rear flat.
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