Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Possibilities

When I first considered the possibility of doing a triathlon, the first thing that voice inside my head was "That's impossible."

That's impossible.

I was overweight and unathletic. I had just dragged myself kicking and screaming from a horribly unhealthy and depressing life and lifestyle. And in the last six months I had left my job, moved out of my apartment, relocated to my hometown, took the bar exam, and quit smoking and drinking.

Um, don't cha' think I would be happy with just living the "possible" things in life? Make it easy on all of us?

Um...did we just meet???

OF COURSE NOT!

I don't play that way anymore. Not me.

The moment my interior voice -- with all its swagger and smugness -- said that triathlon, for me, would be an impossibility, I was resolved. Right there. In that one moment I decided that living a life dictated by what I couldn't do was not the life I fought so hard to reach. I wanted to be defined by what I could do.

And I don't think this approach is all that novel. And it's not really unique or exceptional. But I am proud of it, because there are other choices out there. And that's how we are defined, right? Not by the options we are given, but rather the choices we make. Those are ours and ours alone. Circumstance, timing, genetics, outside events...there are so many things that act upon us, but truly have no impact on character. Our character is built choice by choice. Decision by decision.

So, with that in mind, and knowing how so many triathletes, runners, cyclists, walkers, swimmers, and all those seeking health and happiness, I've put this little set of items up in my Spreadshirt "market."

Because we've all heard it, that little voice. The naysayers with their impossibilities. We hear it all the time.

But I know what is possible.

Do you?



PS -- All the proceeds (after the spreadshirt costs) will go straight to the charity project, so shop with an open heart! Plus, let me know if you'd like this on different products (like a mug or sweatshirt) and I'll get that set up, too.

11 comments:

Jeremy said...

Awesome! That 140.6 shirt rocks!

Trisaratops said...

Holy star alignment... :)

Very cool!!!

Wrenched Photography said...

Go Jayne!

Umm i would look sucky in the cap tee though

Joy | Love | Chaos said...

We could, of course, include fake boobies for all those who have lost their man cards... ;)

JenC said...

Right on! Always got to shoot for the stars. I just ordered one of these cool tees for my IM training.

LBTEPA said...

What a great post I am feeling so flat today I got all blinky reading it.
Great shirts too :)

TriShannon said...

Great shirt!
The possibilities are endless!

DV said...

Sweet! Nice job!

Ellie Hamilton said...

Absolutely spectacular thoughts. I love this post.

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

Great post! love the shirt!
Somebody once said "Life is not about finding yourself; it's about creating yourself".
You are creating a masterpiece!

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

I think of my foray into multisport as a big dare with myself - I can totally relate. My inner voice goes, "nuh uh." and my other inner voice goes, "yeah huh."

and this goes on.

a lot.