First and foremost, I'd like to take a second to wish a happy father's day to all of the fathers in my life - whether you're my own dad (there's just one of you), a father in my family (I'm fortunate to have a few good ones), or a father that I'm fortunate enough to know (there's a whole bunch of you), happy father's day. You all deserve all of the thanks in the world for your positive impact on my life, and I'm lucky to have you all in my life. Dad, I'm proud to be your son. The rest of you fathers, your children are lucky to have you in their lives.
I've enjoyed a very pleasant weekend despite the rain (I can't believe that I've had to bring out the trainer and ride indoors in JUNE due to rain.... yes, I know I'm living in Seattle, and yes, I appreciate those of you not here reminding me of that every time it rains), and I feel like I'm well rested for the first time in weeks. I'm also feeling inspired to start hitting the productivity trail hard again, for many reasons. I've been reminded by a few good friends of my strengths recently. I've seen the dedication in takes to succeed displayed by some great people in my life firsthand. I've been reminded by a good friend that the world isn't going to hand you achievement - you've got to go out and grab it. I hadn't lost sight of that, but perhaps I got a little comfortable. I'm a firm believer that your surrounding dictate your effectiveness and your goals, and I feel like being in Seattle (a place I love) with my good friends here may have contributed to a little slowing down on my part. That's a good thing in the "stop and smell the roses" sense, but there's a fine line to dance upon there, and it's paramount that I stay aware of that. Being in the most dire of circumstances or having the most scarce of resources has prompted some of the greatest accomplishments in our history, and I feel as though I have so much support around me. I'm not masochistic (although some of you have spent time on a bike or in the gym with me may disagree), but I feel as though the luxury of my life may be imposing a little complacency. I'm going to do some self-analyzing this week and see just what standards of living in my life are in fact luxuries, and see if I can't put myself in a position where productivity toward my real goals is more of a priority.
Goals. Goals and aspirations conjure up a great many thoughts in my mind, one of which has caused me to do a lot of introspective thinking lately. I love it here in Seattle, and I could easily set up shop for a bit. I catch myself thinking about this, and I have to ask: why is slowing down an option here? Perhaps it's the work I'm putting in at Gold's - it sometimes seems counterproductive to work so hard to earn clients when I know that I'm leaving in a matter of months. Perhaps it's the fact that I enjoy just being here - it's as though I've accomplished something just fighting my way back to where I've wanted to be for so many years. I'm not sure, but the thoughts are undeniable. It's an interesting situation.
But I've realized that it's my goals and aspirations that have brought me here, and my goals and aspirations to get back that make it rewarding. I cringe at the implications that this revelation has on my long-term life, but I've realized that for me those goals and aspirations are the destination. If you're into metaphors, "my juice is the squeeze". It may be more "fun" to spend a winter somewhere other than Lake Tahoe this year, or it may be the best winter of my life. But I have to go there and live that experience to ever have any idea. It may be "easier" to stay in Seattle and work on a client foundation for a few years, or biking from Canada to Mexico may be the most carefree and "easy" thing I've applied myself to in my entire life. I doubt that, but I'll only be able to tell you about it after I finish that Tecate in Tecate this fall. I don't know what the final outcomes of the decisions I've made for my life in the coming year will be, but I know that I won't regret taking my shot.
I may go down swinging, but last time I checked we've only got one at bat, and I'm not getting caught looking.
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