Just One At A Time

I put on my tennis shoes this morning. (Those who know me well, know that I hate to wear tennis shoes. If I could figure a way to ride a bike in heels and stay safe, I'd do it.) But after getting some chores done around the house, it was time to once again put on my tennis shoes and go for a bike ride.

I am so glad that I did!!! A couple of things happened on my bike ride: I remembered how much I love to ride - it's a time of solitude - a time to clear my thoughts - a time to get mentally refreshed. Such a small thing - just a bike ride. But I'm ashamed to say that it's been a while since I've been out on my bike. Why have I neglected it.....

The other thing that happened is that I talked with a man that I have watched for the past 18 months.(Again, those who know me, know that I don't meet a stranger. I can talk to anyone)I will never forget the first day that I noticed him. He was quite large, wearing sweat pants and t-shirt with a towel around his shoulders. He was sweating profusely and walking at a slow pace. I remember thinking to myself that I should hang around in case I needed to call 911. But over the months, I have seen a BIG, BIG change in him. It is very obvious that not only has he lost an immense amount of weight, but now he runs! This man was running up the hill that I was getting ready to ride down. Remember that I talk to anyone - as he reached the top where I was, I told him, "You are looking great! How much weight have you have lost?" " I just lost my 100th pound" HOLY COWS!!!!! 100 pounds - that is almost one of my 13 year old football playing son who weighs 112 pounds. 100 pounds - HOLY COWS!!!I asked him how he did it. His response: "I got to where I hated myself and hated life. I was responsible for it and decided to make a change. I just put one foot in front of the other and kept going. Now I do it because I love it and it keeps me feeling good"

I wish that he could be interviewed by the Media: "I was responsible for it and decided to make a change. I just put one foot in front of the other and kept going"

As I started down the hill on my bike, I had something else to think about - not about what was concerning me, but how I can put one foot (Or since this was a bike ride, one pedal) in front of me. That is all that we need to do - just put one foot in front of the other - and we'll get there. One at time is all that is expected. We don't have to sprint this race of Life that each of us are running - just one at a time!

And, boy, did I need that reminder. I always do this to myself: I ride hard and push myself. I get to that point where my thighs are burning, my breathing is becoming erratic and I can hear my heart thumping in my ears - and then I have that wave of panic. That moment that I say: "Oh Yuck - I have to turn around and get back home!!!"

But I did get home - one pedal at a time - so glad that I went!

Now I need to find that person that changes those hills into HUGE mountains for the ride back!!!! I have some choice words for them :)