I woke up today and was met with dreary skies and misting rain.
I hoped it would clear up and get a little warmer as I did my morning reading, but it didn’t.
I put on a jacket and gloves and prepared to brave the cold.
This is Live Creative.
The one about enjoying the ride.
intermission
Before we get moving, I want to say thanks for reading! Thanks for taking time out of your day to open your email or the Substack app and tune into this growing newsletter!
I appreciate it.
*Cozy lo-fi begins to play*
the ride
I went on a long and fast bike ride today. (Or cycle? Do you say cycle if it’s a bicycle?)
It was cold, but I was prepared.
I wore a jacket and gloves this time, even though I knew I would eventually start sweating under the layers. (Still a good move.)
It felt great to start. I fought against a 10-15 mph wind and a light mist that soon rendered my sunglasses useless.
For someone used to 90-degree weather, the 40-degree cold is definitely a change in pace.
Sure, it was difficult, but if it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be a workout.
The discomfort and pain must be overcome.
The mission must be completed.
How did I get here?
How do I get to this point with other things?
To the point where even if something sucks, it has to be completed.
The mentality that the hardship in the moment is worth it in the end.
The impact of a mindset shift where you find joy and the good in overcoming and enduring.
I guess that’s how you do it…by changing your mindset.
You have to change your mindset on the work project that you’re dragging your feet on, the creative endeavor that doesn't seem to catch its footing, the pursuit that you don’t give enough attention to, the thing that’s “hard.”
You have to change your mindset and approach for whatever it is with a commitment to making progress and finishing it. With a commitment that whatever hardship or pain you must overcome will only make you stronger.
Make a commitment to working it out.
And enjoy the ride.
enjoy
Another thing that happens when you make this mindset shift and start wholeheartedly pursuing something is you begin to see the beauty in the process.
You begin to notice things you normally wouldn’t.
You begin to appreciate things you normally wouldn't.
On the bike ride, I noticed something as I sped through a nearby neighborhood…
A deer crossing the road.
I pass where it had crossed and see another deer watching me and another!
Normally, I would try to capture a moment like this, but I don't.
I just enjoy it.
Another deer crosses as I round a roundabout and make my way past them. One deer stands and watches me instead of running away with the others. He stands there calmly as I ride away down the street.
Cool things happen in the process.
Enjoy the process.
Enjoy the ride.
- Will
previous entries from jan:
