I’d Rather Feel the Pain than Nothing at All

In the past couple weeks several friends and colleagues have been hit with personal tragedy, AJ from East Celebrity Elite and Danika from Pacific Coast Magic being among them. There is little, if anything, I can claim to know about being a gym owner that lost a coach or athlete, or a kid that lost a coach. Although I thankfully haven’t been in either of those positions, I do know something about losing a friend and family member, and one of those things is that it stinks. There’s no amount of saying “She’s in a better place” or “She’s no longer suffering” that’s going to help. I’m selfish and I want my friends, family, and colleagues here with me, now and forever. Unfortunately we don’t always get what we want, and in some sick and twisted way, it’s one of the things that makes life special.

The fact that any of it can be changed or taken away at any moment, the fragility of life, and knowing we have a finite amount of it, makes it so we shouldn’t take any of it for granted. The ups and downs in life are tied together. The more you love something the more it hurts to lose it, and the more you love someone the more they can hurt you. Opening your heart and mind to love also opens it up to hurt, and that’s life.

“I’d Rather Feel the Pain than Nothing at All”

The recent events have reminded me to slow down and enjoy everything I can, to stop and watch kids play and laugh, to smile at someone that’s not smiling, to run like our dog when the gate is left open, and to spend time on the things that matter and with the people I care about.

Leadership

Leadership. It’s not one size fits all. It would say “It’s Complicated” if it was a relationship status on Facebook. Although many of the characteristics needed of a leader are dependent on the situation, it seems like some leaders accept the challenge regardless of the circumstances. Why is it that some people can lead under any circumstances, at any time? Why are others great under some conditions, but fail under others? Can leadership be taught and learned or is it something people are only born with?

The Gift Of Presence

Jordan Page wrote The Gift Of Presence, about a life changing experience for her. It starts with:

My son drown today. Well, technically he nearly drown, but it doesn’t make much difference to me right now.

Read It. It’s long and well worth it. Read it and absorb it.

Courtesy of Terri Presson

Ironman Champ: The Importance of R&R

Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington published The Importance of R&R.

But I cannot say this clearly enough: It is not the swim/bike/run sessions that will make you fitter; it is the recovery — the adaptation and regeneration from the stress caused by those activities. And it is not just about physical recovery, it’s mental recovery/relaxation too.