TRY NOT!: "Travel Day"

I love going places. I just hate getting there! Especially if it involves, cars or airplanes. If I use International travel as an analogy for life it becomes understandable that it can be stressful. I think that most of us(certainly I), want to feel in control of our lives. We want to have a plan, which while it may have opportunities for flexibility, is generally our plan, and the flexing is within our control. That is not the feeling I get when I travel. Road construction, traffic accidents, airplane mechanics, not to mention the ever loving, bizarre and unpredictable behavior of various airport security forces. Tell me why it is that in Canada(or the U.S) the routine is; shoes off, laptops out, belts off, liquids and gels in a one quart zip lock bag, and heaven help you if you’re tube of explosive toothpaste is larger than 100ml!! While on the other hand in Mexico, depending on the day, or the weather it’s “yah whatever”, just don’t tell the Americans! I don’t get it. Especially when I contrast it to the fact that when I go to the mall in St Thomas, there is some kind of security sensor to keep me from stealing stuff, and in Mexico there’s a man in combat fatigues with a double barreled shotgun. Oh well…dare I say it? Yes I will for Roo and Larry “C’est la Vie”.

And I guess that’s the message. To question the old “It’s the journey, not the destination that counts “ cliché. Why do clichés like this exist? Probably to rationalize our dissatisfaction with ones current situation don’t you think? We lose confidence that there is value in our destination, or perhaps even in its reachability, and so we somehow need to make it okay just to be “treading water”. But what motivates the journey in the first place if it’s not the destination? To use my own particular journey to my Ironman destination, I can tell you unequivocally that I would not even be seriously thinking about changes to my personal health, let alone getting excited about some of them. And to add argument to the “destination” thinking, what happens when the journey is over….”is that all there is?”

And so I suggest to you that it’s some of both, journey and destination. I want to arrive at places, but I want to enjoy getting there. Seems fair enough eh? I know as I think it through sitting on this airplane it’s working for me. I am looking forward to getting home to my destination, but meanwhile the journey has just become more pleasant simply because I am spending the time crystallizing my thoughts and putting them on paper….well on the screen anyway.
How does all this shit apply today my friends. Well fear not because I’m a gonna tell ya! What else is new eh? Here it is.

Because I want to arrive at a destination(Penticton) I have decided to learn many new things on the journey(the next 300 days or so) that I am actually very excited about…to the point that it surprises me. Here’s an example. Just less than a week ago, the doctor made an appointment for me with a dietician. I told Claudette that I was not too excited about it because it was just another freakin appointment that I didn’t want in my schedule. She very politely (no that’s a lie…she was very sarcastic) said , and I quote “well I’ll go then!” This pissed me off at the time because I felt trampled on, but in hindsight it was the only rationale response. Why in the name of Jesus(that’s one of my Mexican friends) would I give up an opportunity to get sound professional advice from someone who could help me both enjoy my journey and arrive at my destination? Especially considering the fact that eating has become probably the single largest challenge I have as related to both. In Spanish…”IDIOTA”! Believe it or not, just days later I am now excited about the possibilities. And yes it surprises me. Yes me! The man who next to son Peter, and Brother John, already knew just about everything.

I’m going to try to apply my new thinking in other areas as well. I have decided that I’m going to find a swim coach sooner than later, I am going to start a stretching routine sooner than later, and I’m gonna go buy a Q-Roo bike sooner than later. All because these things will make my journey more fun, and my destination more reachable.

And after all…in the end you get to choose your own destination. And your mode of transportation need not include any airplanes….there are many ways to “fly”