For the last seven or eight years I have enjoyed a recreational
activity that gives me exercise and satisfies my longing to be
in nature. When I Mountain Bike I feel exhilarated, refreshed
and proud of myself. Putting on my biking clothes, oiling my bike
and riding down the street are the beginning of a ritual that
has evolved over time. Within 10 minutes I am immersed in nature
on the trails of Mt Tam. After all these years I know them pretty
well. As I am riding I enjoy the wildlife, the majestic redwoods,
the flowing streams, and am transported to a different world that
allows me the opportunity to leave behind all of my worldly concerns.
As part of this ritual I end my ride at the health food store
and enjoy a healthy drink.
On this day I ran into my young friend Bobby. Bobby is an avid
rider who rides his bike daily to the college but isn't that familiar
with some of the trails on the mountain. I offered to show him
some of my favorites. But soon after we set a date for our ride
I started thinking about what trails I could show him that would
be challenging enough for him but not too challenging for me.
I was concerned because I knew Bobby had a lot more energy than
me and I would be stretched out of my comfort zone.
A few days later we started on our ride. In the beginning we
rode on a familiar trail that was part of my usual loop. And then
I knew it was time to leave my comfort zone and ride higher. As
I looked up I knew that it was going to be more difficult than
what I was used to and I wondered if I could do it. I estimated
the incline to be 25-30 degrees at its steepest.
"Each morning is like being reborn. I get another chance to be
the best me I can be." --- anonymous
It's amazing how changing our thinking changes our experience
of almost everything. Let me share with you my thought process
that changed my thinking. I knew that the steepest part of the
climb was in the beginning. As I started climbing my focus shifted
from the top of the ridge and how difficult the climb might be
to what was immediately in front of me. And what is amazing is
that in the 2 or 3 yards in front of me I did not notice any degree
of slope even though I knew there had to be some. As I continued
the climb in this manner I was able to maintain my energy and
when I looked ahead I was almost at the top of the ridge .
Because I was able to climb higher than before I was able to
see things for the first time. The view had always been there
but I had never noticed it. As I experienced the panaramic view
from each higher ridge I felt the interconnectedness of my surroundings.
An interconnectedness that was always there even if you didn't
see it. As I reached the pinnacle I was able to see for miles
in every direction. Were it not for my change in thinking and
sense of adventure I would have stopped miles ago and would not
have experienced this view from the mountain. Perhaps the biggest
regret that people have is that they didn't risk enough. Certainly
that had been true for me.
"You have to move up to another level of thinking, which is true
for me and everybody else. Everybody has to learn to think differently,
bigger, to be open to possibilities." --- Oprah Winfrey
And that's the way our lives are. As we expand our belief in
self we expand our sense of what is possible. As our sense as
to what is possible is expanded we are more willing to get out
of our comfort zone and expand our sense of adventure. And that
sense of adventure is not just in trying new things. It's also
in allowing ourselves to open our hearts and risk feeling more.
And that is when we feel most engaged and fulfilled.
I am sure that you have your own mountain to climb. What shift
in thinking will embolden you to climb this mountain and what
will you need to do differently? I have found that sometimes little
things that seemed insignificant can have tremendous impact in
my life. If you make these little changes consistently you will
see a dramatic difference in the quality of your life. Imagine
what it would be like if you did something new or different everyday.
It could be as simple as taking a different route to work, getting
up earlier and meditating or listening to some new music. As you
make these changes on a regular basis you will notice that your
sense of what is possible keeps expanding and evolving.
As the view from the mountain keeps expanding I have a greater
sense that we are all interconnected. With each passing year I
am blessed to share the journey with many more like minded travelers.
Thank you for expanding our circle by forwarding this letter to
those in your circle. The internet has been instrumental in connecting
us with other like minded people all over the world. Letters on
Life is now translated into three languages and last month people
from 70 countries visited http://www.inspirepossibility.com/.
Mark Susnow has a unique background. Formerly a successful trial
attorney for 30 years, as well as musician, he integrates what
it takes to be truly prosperous in the world with the inner wisdom
unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation practice.
As a personal coach, leadership consultant and inspirational speaker,
Mark provides inspiration and motivation to many business leaders
and professionals. He knows what it means to have a big vision
and has demonstrated the courage and energy it takes to accomplish
it. Consider contacting Mark and be sure to visit his website
http://www.inspirepossibility.com/.
Related News Items
Vision:
Expanding Your Thinking
... April 1998 - Vision - Expanding Your Thinking. Vision - What
is it ... Tips for developing vision and expanding thinking. Exchanging
"Either/Or...
Critical
Thinking: Expanding the Paradigm
Critical Thinking: Expanding the Paradigm. Mark Weinstein. The
practice of critical thinking in North America, where it has taken
root, splits into...
THINKING
OUTSIDE THE BOXCAR.
... THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOXCAR. Innovation and ingenuity have
been at the core of Union Pacific since ... way we are expanding
our services for ou...
Welcome
to Expanding Thought!
Expanding Thought is a consulting company based in Boulder, Colorado,
doing international business all over the globe. Changing Organizations
Throu...
Thought
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
... Thomas Nagel) have said they do not have a clue as to how
we are aware of our thinking ... You can help Wikipedia by expanding
it ...
Heartspring
- Kid Check
... That expanding your child's world by asking more questions
provides the foundation for ... Your child is expanding their
thinking skills by inc...
