Walking in a Headwind

What a title, am I right??

But for serious, I did that today. For those who don't know, once or twice a week my sister and I go on walks together. This is difficult due to the fact that we live in two different states about 1200 miles apart, but thanks to the invention of the cell phone (and earbuds) we make it happen! Anyway, today it is sunny and gorgeous but suuuuuper windy. Like, crazy windy.

So I toodle over to one of the local parks, a really neat place that offers both regular park activites (swing sets, baseball fields), some more unique offerings (sand volleyball, 18 hole disc golf course), and an awesome set of walking trails. The picture above shows you how pretty it is, so I definitely like to take advantage of it!

Heck, I even made some friends! They kept following me around hoping my phone was food.

*Sidenote: feeding ducks at a park is a dangerous activity. They end up following you and trying to eat your shoes. lol!*

Anyway, I knocked out about 5 miles today, all the while gibgabbing with my sister about all sorts of things. As usual we had a great conversation, but when I finally got back to my car I was WIPED OUT. about 75% of my walk was into a strong, driving headwind; one that knocked the wind out of me at times, and made my eyes water fiercely. Yet I pushed on.

Of course this got me thinking. So often in life we feel as if we're being faced by a headwind, a large amount of resistance attempting to impede our forward progress. And yet, when we persevere and we push on we realize how strong and capable we are, and are even made stronger in spite of - or because of - it.

In strength and weight training the idea is to increase resistance in order to build up and strengthen our muscles. Doesn't it make sense that the same would hold true for life in general? When you've hit a roadblock and you find away over, under, through or around it, don't you feel so much MORE accomplished?

The next time you find yourself in a rough patch, just when things are seemingly at their most difficult and you are wondering if you will be able to make it through to the finish, think about THIS message. It is the RESISTANCE in life, the HEADWINDS that we face that make us STRONGER and MORE CAPABLE. When you persevere, you WILL achieve and you WILL be successful. You will have a new tool in your toolbox that you will be able to bring out or offer to someone at a later date.

Do not fear the headwind. Turn your face to it and PRESS ON!