The daily mountain bike ride or paddle on the river is a routine part of my life. Sure, it's good, healthy, and a little out-of-the ordinary exercise but there's more in it for me than that. It's become the glue that holds my life together. I count on this time in the outdoors to help me evaluate how I take risk, build trust in relationships, be comfortable in my own skin, and evolve my perspective on the world. It's a place to form innovative ideas and make the tough decisions that need to be made in life.
Which got me thinking, where are people when they are dwelling on life's critical decisions? I fear that for many, such places too often include the "parade of taillights," the slow procession of red lights each morning or evening winding down a road four lanes wide and as far into the distance as the eye can see. While this environment may be helpful in deciding what you don't want and where you don't want to be, it is pretty limiting in deciding what you do want in life and where you really want to go.
So what's one to do? While mountain biking and kayaking may not be directly out your door, the "outdoor lifestyle" is. People are increasing using parks, lakes, trails, and paths for their daily "Time-Out"and increasingly letting such amenities contribute to living well. And even better, people are creating their own personal or shared outdoor space - a deck, patio, or garden.
On a recent trip to Dallas/Fort Worth, I was visiting a kayaking friend in his busy surburban neighborhood. Living outside of a town of about 300 people myself, I'm always a little overwhelmed at first by the volume and density of metro areas like Dallas/Fort Worth. But once at my friend's house, we stepped out on to his patio and were instantly "removed." This friend has embraced and incorporated such space and the outdoors in general into the lifestyle that he and his family enjoy. Moreover, it played a critical part in deciding to move forward with his dream of bringing whitewater park to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in hopes that many more people might derive similar benefits for themselves, their families and friends.
Which got me thinking, where are people when they are dwelling on life's critical decisions? I fear that for many, such places too often include the "parade of taillights," the slow procession of red lights each morning or evening winding down a road four lanes wide and as far into the distance as the eye can see. While this environment may be helpful in deciding what you don't want and where you don't want to be, it is pretty limiting in deciding what you do want in life and where you really want to go.
So what's one to do? While mountain biking and kayaking may not be directly out your door, the "outdoor lifestyle" is. People are increasing using parks, lakes, trails, and paths for their daily "Time-Out"and increasingly letting such amenities contribute to living well. And even better, people are creating their own personal or shared outdoor space - a deck, patio, or garden.
On a recent trip to Dallas/Fort Worth, I was visiting a kayaking friend in his busy surburban neighborhood. Living outside of a town of about 300 people myself, I'm always a little overwhelmed at first by the volume and density of metro areas like Dallas/Fort Worth. But once at my friend's house, we stepped out on to his patio and were instantly "removed." This friend has embraced and incorporated such space and the outdoors in general into the lifestyle that he and his family enjoy. Moreover, it played a critical part in deciding to move forward with his dream of bringing whitewater park to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in hopes that many more people might derive similar benefits for themselves, their families and friends.
In the simplest form, that is what "Gold Medal Living" is all about. Thoughtfully and purposefully using the outdoors to progress your best lifestyle and positively influence your relationships with others.
Look for more thoughts, ideas, and life lesson from the outdoors right here on the "Gold Medal Living" blog.
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