“Accomplish but do not boast, accomplish without show, accomplish without arrogance, accomplish without grabbing, accomplish without forcing.”
― Lao Tzu
This.
Goddamn.
Hill.
Sucks.
All of it: Its serpentine lines. Its sinfully steep, unending slopes. How it challenges your lungs not to gasp, your eyes not to drip in a futile attempt to expunge the pain.
Yes, this mound has repeatedly forced you from your pedals, mocking you silently, motionlessly, as you hike-a-biked the remainder.
A walk of shame, if ever. And one you’ve endured many, many times.
Today, though, a new chapter begins! Unwritten, the future is yours, my friend, as you now stand victorious atop its peak.
Winded? Yeah.
Blinded by sweat? Sure.
Physically broken? Maybe.
Eager to celebrate your one-upmanship, and relish in your hard-won accomplishment? You bet your sweet ass.
The experience doesn’t have to end when you head back down, though.
Of course, we can’t trap these sensations in a jar. However, cultivating mindfulness when we’re not cycling can help us recognize that we all share a fundamental need to experience achievement, and to know that we’re awesome, whether on or off the bike.
With this simple perspective shift, what was once a fleeting, indulgent—and selfish—cycling moment transforms into a compassionate gift. One we can carry back to the “real” world, which transcends cultures, languages, and the milieu of lenses through which humanity views the world.
Mindfully honoring your awesomeness can help others recognize their own.
So go ahead, spread the wealth. Don’t be stingy. Change the world with your awesomeness, one accomplishment at a time.