Show Up

Under normal circumstances, it's the time of year that I get to take a family adventure with my wife and children, which normally entails us walking around somewhere in this great land. We would have had a successful season behind us, we'd be ready to open registration for our events; most likely Escape the Cape would have already been sold out on October 1st, like it did in 2019 for 2020. Systems would be in place. We'd be filling out our calendar for year-end parties with triathlon clubs all over the region. But, this is no normal year and our circumstances have been drastically altered and everyone (including you) have been forced to adjust in this new COVID era.

I know everyone talks about being thankful in November, and I get it. Thanksgiving is my #1 holiday of the year because the ENTIRE PREMISE is to get together with people who you care about and be THANKFUL. I love everything about that. But here's the rub; if you can't be thankful at this point in 2020 - no email, newsletter, motivational post or video from anyone is going to help, probably because you don't want any.

For this November I've focused on what I don't want to be, rather than what I am thankful for. "DelMo, where are you going with this?" I'm coming right at ya, that's where I'm going - so listen up!

I was working out (lifting session) with 3 other people and we were almost finished our routine for the day. The next group came in and began stretching, but they were missing one member - that person clearly had skipped and slept in. Then the owner/head trainer made a remark that sent shock waves through my system like never before. He simply said, "I guess he was due to miss a morning." Now, he wasn't pleased about it, nor was he making fun, but he was rationalizing and making conversation for everyone else. I get it. I would have done the same. But there I was, suffering through ungodly stiffness from the day before, sore, uncertain of future events for my community, my business and a host of other things swirling through my head and all I can think of is, "There's no chance in hell anyone will ever say something like that about me." With that I finished my set, exhausted, covered in sweat, relieved I had showed up yet again.

"So, what does this have to do with anything, DelMo?" I realized there are people out there in particular situations where we can count on them not showing up, or they were due for a letdown - and I don't ever want to be in that category and neither should you. Now, I'm not saying we have to live a perfect life and try to be what we're not, but what we should NEVER be is an expected or due disappointment. No matter how many rivers you have crossed to get to this point in life, nor in what shape you have arrived, today is the day to begin your travels into the realm of being consistent, honest, and showing up on a daily basis - giving it your best. You have the ability to elevate the energy in a room simply by stepping foot inside, and you can only do that by showing up.

So, for this November, make sure you spread an extra layer of gratitude and thanks over your meal of choice. Pour your preferred beverage: whether from grapes, or hops, or the finest tap water in all the land, and regardless of how you got here or where you've been - if you show up with the best intentions we will all be better for it.