Stamina

When you decide to do a thing, it isn’t always natural or easy. Sometimes you have to build stamina. You have to push through your fears and doubts and build the strength to do the thing with ease.

That bridge on the left of the photo is ~70 feet high. When I first moved here (here being the south eastern US) two years ago, I was able to walk it with ease. Then about two months after moving I bought a bike. I had not ridden a bike in almost 40 years at the time. So there was no way that I was attempting that bridge. But I always wanted to. Well last week I rode that bridge. It was not easy by any stretch of the imagination. My thighs threatened to give up on me at least twice, but I did it.

I was able to do it because I have been riding my bike, building up my confidence (and my thigh muscles), and riding faster, longer and higher every week. Doing this repeatedly and constantly pushing myself built up my stamina. So now, after almost 40 years of not riding a bike I can now ride 13 miles without resting, I can navigate inclines that peak at 70-ish feet, and I can finally take one hand off the handle bars. No I can’t completely let go. The control freak in me won’t let me. But the point is, I can finally do the thing I have been wanting to do for two years.

Building my stamina is the formula I have used to navigate almost every goal I have set for myself. And getting to my goal of serenity is no different. I practice being at peace even when everything is not working out the way I want it. I am no saint. There are times when I still get hella frustrated, but I wake up and try again the next day.

So far here is what works for me.

Routines. I force myself to get sunshine, exercise (at least 5 days/week) and consume at least 6 glasses of water per week day (weekends are made for having fun.) That helps me to manage my anxiety.

Perspective taking. When I catch myself being frustrated, I try to see things from the perspective of others. It usually works, but every once in a while I morph into a gremlin and rage privately about someone’s actions.

Gratitude. When things aren’t working the way that I want, I give thanks for what is, what I have, and all that I have been able to accomplish thus far.

Mental mile markers. I reflect on other times that I have felt similarly and that usually reminds me that I will get to the other side of what ever is bothering me.

Laughter. I try to laugh multiple times per day. I watch stand up comedy. I listen to terrible dad jokes. I surround myself with people who make me laugh. I subscribe to comedians on social media. I chase laughter the way some folks chase the ice cream truck.

I am determined to live a peaceful life, in spite of whatever life throws at me. So I continue to build my stamina, on my journey to chocolate serenity.