Perspective is something so simple yet so elusive to most of us. On a ride today, Mitch and I were talking about how much our perspective can change with something so simple as rearranging furniture or changing your route to work. That's our perspective, which is easy to change. Our external perspective - ie taking into account someone else's perspective, is much more difficult to change.
One subject that came up was how we all b*tch and moan about how bad things are in this country, but take one look across our very own border with Mexico and you'll suddenly appreciate what we have here. Listen to a few news stories about Afganistan or Iran or other countries in chaos or with severe dictatorships and all of a sudden we don't have it quite so bad. And while I'm definitely not a bleeding heart when it comes to illegal immigration, I can understand why they want their chance at the "American Dream". If roles were reversed, there's no question I'd make a run for it ... That is my attempt at perspective - There, but for the grace of god, go I.
Perspective isn't limited to huge social issues or hard-to-change policies - I firmly believe that most day-to-day conflicts could be avoided or resolved if everyone took a deep breath and considered all perspectives before flaking out.
Part of the reason this doesn't happen as often as it should lies in our type-A personalities ... that's something we can't change and it seems to be a prerequisite for any longevity in this sport. Get a few dominant personalities together and there's bound to be fireworks eventually.
Another part of the issue is that we feel so passionate about whatever we do - from our training to our work to our families to what color our bar tape should be. You might laugh at that last one but just try convincing someone to change their preferred brand/color of bar tape ... (I prefer lime green these days).
Combine both of the prior issues with pride - inability to back down, even if there's a slight-however slight-chance that we may be going at things the wrong way. Again, this is inherent in most cyclists (and most competitive athletes in general).
These issues are not unique to cyclists or athletes or to our times - I found a great quote that pretty much sums it up:
Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.
- Arthur Schopenhauer.
Anyway, it seems that 2009 has been a year of perspective for me. I think perspective is a good thing, in general, but I think I've had my share of enforced perspective for a while.
Enough of the philosophical musings of an over worked accountant ... here's a shot of a multitude of bikes parked in my house a few weeks ago.
We planned a team ride but it rained so it was a trainer session. Of course, as soon as we finished, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was all good - we had a great time together, no-one had to drive home in the rain and we didn't have to clean our bikes. Talk about perspective.
3 comments:
Hi, Wendy! I found your blog by accident a while ago and read some of the entries periodically.
"[H]aving some semblance of balance in life: family, work, school, social life, vacation etc etc. Given that cycling is a haven for OCD-prone people (myself included), balance isn't exactly our forte."
Regarding "perspective" and "balance", you commented previously on cyclists who lie about their finances or whereabouts in order to spend more money/time on their bikes. That means that you recognize the problem and draw the line at a certain point. I am a bike racer myself and know very well the addictivity of the sport.
In a strange way, being forced to step back from the racing for a while might actually have been beneficial. While it's admirable to have the strength and resolve to keep soldiering on, there's also a limit to how much a person can take.
The thing about your brother was one of the most shocking family stories I have ever heard, of course that is never going to be "okay". And then, add various other traumas on top, it's hard to imagine.
I see the activities you describe during the break effectively mandated by your injury as very positive: children's events, charity, bike education, etc. (The things that remind you why you love cycling in the first place).
You have a special energy that you are able to sublimate and channel into positive achievement, whereas others might handle it less successfully and self-destruct. But being "elite" or being an "achiever", in the abstract is not the most important thing in life. It will be sufficient to be merely "semi-elite" for a while, and keep things in "perspective".
Hi Andrew - thanks for reading, and reminding me that sometimes people other than teammates and friends might actually read my ramblings. It is always a treat to hear from those that put some thought into their response. Yours was one of the more thoughtful and thought provoking that I've had. Thank you for that.
Every once in a while someone says or does something that forces me to step back and refocus ... like most cyclists I know, I tend to keep looking forward instead taking stock in what's been accomplished despite myself. As you've read, I've had some perspective enforced by life - sometimes the only thing I could do is to keep going and inevitably something, someone or some experience will come along that makes me glad that I did.
Throughout all of this, my bike has been an outlet...therapy, a sense of belonging, a way to get in touch with raw, physical, emotional and mental effort. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't ride or race, but I do know that sometimes a break (not literally) is necessary to remember why I love this sport.
Thank you again for reminding me that it's okay not to be running at 110% all of the time. I definitely need reminding from time to time.
Yeah, some people have an iron will to succeed, some people are physically and mentally very tough. BUT, no one is invulnerable.
For example, recently I saw the movie "Hollentour" (about Telekom during the 2003 TDF), here is a video clip from it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly5IkBxvYL0&feature=related
So here, Erik Zabel, one of the best bicycle sprinters of all time, who is very heterosexual, and who has a picture of Satan tattooed on his shoulder, discusses a kind of male bonding and inseperable friendship with his teammates.
And there is also the film footage from the news conference in which he admitted that he was involved in blood-doping with EPO during the 1996 Tour. And he breaks into tears when he recalls how his personal ambition, combined with the unhealthy culture of the peloton, led him to become something that he didn't want to be.
To express emotion is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength and stability. It means that you have set things in order, by speaking the words that you have to say. Such as: "That really hurt me". Even if it's said to no one in particular, like in this case just a general confession sent out into the ether of the "blogosphere".
Anyway, since I don't know you, I think I have spoken my peace on the subject. Maybe if there's something else different and remarkable in your future blogs I will comment on it.
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