When I was a novice mountain biker on my first, single-track ride, I made the mistake of looking at the tree, the rock, or the mud puddle in a futile effort to avoid the obstacle, right before running smack dab into it.
My more experienced companion gently coached me to set my gaze on the path around the rock. That was harder said than done, and I had my share of bruises to show for it. Fortunately, over time, I got the hang of it and have many wonderful memories of riding down rutted, rocky roads less traveled!
I gave my children similar advice on the snowy, tree-filled ski runs of the Cascade. Trust yourself! Look where you want to go. Your skills and your ski’s will take you there. It’s such simple and obvious advice. So why is it so hard to remember during these unsettling and uncertain times? When the metaphorical rock is in front of me, I find it hard to avert my gaze and redirect my focus on where I want to go.
Don’t I trust myself, my skills and the expertise built over a lifetime? I have always set my sights on ambitious destinations – personally and professionally. It wasn’t hard to move around obstacles by keeping my eye on the intended goal, bringing people with me with energy and optimism. Sometimes picking up mine and their bikes to climb over the rocks if that’s what it took to achieve our aim.
Now, more than ever, it’s imperative to be clear eyed, optimistic, and open hearted. Even when there seems to be endless problems in our world, I know infinite possibilities exist. To discover the opportunity, I need to look up and out. Ask myself where, how and who can I help. Once again, look down the road less traveled, set my sites on where I want to go, and aim my talent, time, and treasure toward that path.