A few years ago the Good Lord saw fit for me to cross paths with a young and talented entrepreneur while teaching an executive business course at Aileron.
The disposition of this entrepreneur was eerily similar to mine if I were to go back twenty years. In spite of all his talent he was wound tighter than a two dollar watch.
After the course at Aileron, he asked me to coach him. During our coaching sessions we worked through a lot of things but the one valuable nugget he gained from our time together was he needed a healthy outlet for his nervous energy. I shared with him how exercise had become an integral part of my daily medicine to counter my addiction/anxiety issues. I also shared with him my love of the sport of triathlon where so much of it is mind over matter.
Long story short, he became a triathlete and the two of us did a triathlon together during his first season of competing so I could help him overcome the nerves associated with taking a step into the unknown. Since that time he decided to go all in and become an Ironman and subsequently the coachee became a coach as he was one of a handful of people who inspired me to take the plunge and go the 140.6 miles to become an Ironman. In fact we had a lengthy phone call three days before my race where he helped calm my nerves considerably.
Anyway, about a month ago, he completed his second Ironman at Ironman Wisconsin and he sent me the following email after the race:
I just finished my second full IM on Sept. 9th at Ironman Wisconsin…I wanted to share one of my experiences from Wisconsin…
The day we arrived the lake was rough, white caps and all. Saturday it was just as rough and I started to get anxious and I don’t normally practice swim the day before but my coach said to deal with the nerves and get in the water. My wife and I walked down and I got in and struggled around the first buoy and got out with my heart racing (not what I was hoping for my confidence booster).
Race day came with calmer waters and everyone was relieved but there was still some chop/current on the backside of the loop. Cara (wife) and I shared a pre-race prayer while she stayed with me in the swim line.
When the cannon went off, we all got in and I breast stroked the first 25 yards to find my line and once I put my head in and started swimming this overwhelming sense of calm and relaxation came over me and stayed with me the whole time, like nothing I have ever felt. It made me think of you and your coaching–‘If you worry why pray, if you pray why worry.’
It was an awesome experience and would never have had it if I didn’t put myself in that uncomfortable position.
THANK YOU for helping me get in the water 2 years ago.
Is God calling you to an uncomfortable place? Is He nudging you to jump into some choppy water? As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, ‘small’ callings, as perceived by the world, are often the most important callings.
If you are hesitant about the calling, try praying, getting in the water, finding your line and…simply start swimming. The power of the Holy Spirit is extraordinarily amazing but it is hard to experience that extraordinarily amazing power if we aren’t willing to wander outside our comfort zone and get in the water.
A result of being willing to get uncomfortable.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
Isaiah 40:31, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run (swim and bike) and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
