A thought..Was bouncing an email to my friend and this is just a snip bit:
This is where I take training as serious as school..and i love this analogy..a lot of ppl i know dont understand why i am not hanging out with them b/c i need to train....they see training is like, "Oh Cliff is abadon his friends for himself. So selfish." They feel that I am abadoning them. I don't want to hang out with them. They don't say that in my face but I can feel it.
Honestly, I rather they tell me in person. I hate it when people talk behind someone's back. Especially if they consider me as a friend....
I have been called a dumbass, I have been told what i am missing in life b/c of my training. I have been told if this is really worth it...from their point of view, i can understand their concern....I am sure if I told my parents what i am planning they would think i have gone nuts.
If they see that this is like school..would they ask their friend to come out if they know this friend has an exam the next day?..i don't think so...well my training is my studying...and i have to study (It's fun anyways).
I also know some of the adults in my church don't understand..I must look like a rebel that is not so good role model for their kids...I think this is driving me quite nuts in the past few weeks....something that is bothering me....but i know i gotta do what i gotta do...many don't understand..only a few does...and i cherish those few..
What to do? I have been criticize my whole life :). I always thought I am immune to this. The more I think about it, the more I realize, yeah, my whole life I have been criticize. This ain't your teenager "I just want to do what I want to do, against the authority" attitude. I feel there is much more. I wonder if this is how Lance Armstrong felt when he is going back in training after surviving his cancer. I wonder if this is how Terry Fox felt after one of his leg amputated and decided to run across Canada. I have to do what God put me on earth to do.Only one thing I have to say....put a smile on my face and TRI ON.
9 comments:
Just stay positive. There are so many benefits to living a healthy lifestyle. Just make sure you take one night a week/month to hang out with those of your friends who don't understand your active lifestyle. It's all about balance :) You will work it out!
Cliff,
Unfortunately, most people don't understand us. In fact, it is only when they experience it themselves that they truly begin to understand. This is unfortunate, because many people can benefit immensly from a lifestyle similar to yours. Be an example to those around you, always encourage friends and family, without being pushy that is. Then, one day, they will see what you have accomplished and know how powerful it is. Keep pushin' Clif. By the way, I like the way you changed your header. Looks great. See ya buddy!
Benny
Stay with it. Many of the people that I associate with don't understand it either. At least my wife and children do. With out there support I could not do it. The people at church don't get it. I hate it when they judge me. They always make you feel like your selfish for doing this. There are a lot of good people at my church but they don't get it!!
a time for people, a time for tri-ing; it's not up to you to make people understand.
read Commodore's post
Some people will always try to stop you from doing something exra ordinary. It's the pack mentality.
Surround yourself with positive people and test your friendships once in a while. If they are true friends, they will stand by your side.
Most people just don't understand. They wonder why we do this and it is so hard to explain. They don't understand that this lifestyle is very much a part of who we are.
But like you said - Tri On.
Keep training.
Stay the course! Perseverence will always win in the end for you and for them. My own Mom doubts me and thinks I'm nuts for my tri lifestyle, (you can also insert everything else I've done in life), and I thought she would always be on the "outside". I know she's coming around because in my birthday card this year was a check and a note that read, "buy something for your bike".
You know you can do anything; your friends just aren't ready to believe it yet...be patient, they'll come around.
I get the same from my friends from time to time. Especially when I skip out on going to the bar with them until 2 a.m. I feel the same way that God gave me an ability to run long distance and that is what I plan on doing. Thanks for the visit.
There's nothing selfish about having a healthy lifestyle and the strong, healthy body that goes with it. There is everything selfish about going along, buffeted by the whims and habits of our unhealthy society and expecting friends, family, insurance and the medical establishment to patch you up when you develop the infirmities that result from not safeguarding your health.
Selfishness isn't doing things your way, it's expecting everyone else to do things your way.
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