Believe in Me

The main thing I've discovered since creating Ironstruck is just how close so many people are to taking that one step toward changing their lives. People in North America, people in Asia, people in Europe.

People everywhere.

There is no particular gender, age, or station in life that one can find that is a common thread to all the individuals who feel this need to grow, to become more, and to reach new heights they never before thought possible. Accomplishments that for so long have seemed to be for others to realize, but not for them.The world is full of people who sense they are at a cross-roads in their existence, but are in need of just a little encouragement, inspiration, or simply someone who believes in them, to enable them to take that first step that is necessary to begin a journey of any distance.

It's unfortunate, but many people will live their whole lives with unrealized dreams. They will seemingly do all the right things. They will go to school, work, buy a home, and most likely get married and have children. On the outside they will put up a good front of apparent success and material wealth and happiness, but inside there is often a yearning for something more. Something that makes them feel truly alive. Something that makes their spirit glow and perhaps for the first time, enable them to realize the power of just "being." The power of embracing life without the constant ego-driven need to have more and want more of all the things in life that have the least value.

I believe the reason the Ironman is taking the world by storm is because it has opened a window of opportunity for many people to realize their full potential and journey into a world full of possibilities. A world of ordinary people who do extraordinary things that far surpass an athletic event. There is no doubt in my mind that the Ironman is a stepping-stone to revitalizing one's life.

The best part is that each of us often are faced with situations and opportunities in this life where we can play a pivotal role in changing "forever" the life of someone who crosses our path. It might be a family member, a friend, or a complete stranger who you will never lay eyes on or talk to in person. Something you say, or write, or do, might be all it takes to "light the fire" and set someone, somewhere, on the path to an incredible journey of self-discovery.

Often we have unique opportunities in the course of our lives to either inspire people to greatness or to do the exact opposite and destroy their dreams by diminishing their self-esteem. Or possibly we just take the middle ground and do neither.

This particular event happened years ago when I was entered in my fourth Ironman event. A woman I knew had talked her husband into taking a vacation in Penticton and watching the Ironman race. Her husband became swept up by the whole event and was excited just being there and seeing all the amazing people in the race that day. He was well, Ironstruck. Of course the word hadn't been born yet because I was years away from giving birth to the name, building the website or writing the book. However there is no doubt that's what happened because it has been happening to people all over the world for a quarter of a century. We just never had a name for it I guess.Anyway, when I talked to her a few weeks after the race she said that her husband(who wasn't really an athlete) asked her if she thought he could do an Ironman, because he really wanted to try it. She said she laughed at him and said "don't you realize what those people had to do so they could become Ironmen? You could never do that!" I remember how it sort of stunned me that a wife could say that to her husband. After all, isn't a spouse the one person you would think could be counted on for support in all things? I was pretty well speechless and to this day that conversation has bothered me and has never left me. In one sentence she had slammed the door shut on him. In one breath she denied him the little bit of encouragement that might have changed his entire sense of purpose in life. Ironically, a change that would have benefited her as well as him. By denying others the opportunity of inward growth, you really are denying yourself an opportunity to grow as well.

Really, in essence her husband was only asking for one thing that went far beyond him imagining himself an Ironman.

"Believe in me."

I guess she didn't.

Just the other day, I was doing a signing session for "Ironstruck" at a book store in one of the cities large malls. A woman walked by who was perhaps around 30 years old. It appeared that she had Down Syndrome. She was out on her own enjoying a day in the busy mall. She stopped at my table and ran her fingers across the cover of one of my books. She looked at me and said, "I can't read." Again, I was speechless and didn't know quite what to say. She turned and continued walking down the mall and I heard her say over her shoulder as she walked away, "but I'm learning."

So many of us don't live in the moment. We think far too much. We think of what might be or what was, but seldom do we think of what "is." Seldom do we live in the moment and realize the importance of what is taking place right in front of us. We are so out of tune with our sense of just "being."

At that instant in time when that woman said "I can't read" I should have been focused on her. Instead I was everywhere else but where I should have been. My goal is to inspire and motivate and I truly enjoy doing it. However, I failed that woman by not seizing the opportunity to inspire her.

What if?

What if I had gone after her and "given" her a book and said......"Yes, you will learn how to read, because I can tell how much it means to you and I would be honored if my book was the first book that you read from cover to cover one day."

Do you think that would have meant something to her? Do you think it would have inspired her. Do you think it might have changed her life for the better?

I can't be sure, but I think it would have done much more then just being speechless and not saying anything. I know one thing. If I ever see her again when I am in that mall doing another signing I will certainly give it a try.

After all, in her actions that day and perhaps for much of her life, she is only asking for one thing.

"Believe in me."

At least with Ironstruck, I seem to have gotten it right. It is very moving and inspiring for me to read an email like the one I received a few months ago.

"I saw people running and biking all over my city and didn't know what was going on. Then I found out about this big race that was coming up in my country. It was called an Ironman Triathlon. I knew it was something I could never do. Especially being forty years old, overweight, a non-athlete, and a heavy smoker. But anyway, I did a search on the Ironman on my computer and came across Ironstruck, your website. I spend a long time reading it. I thought, well, this guy thinks I can do it. Maybe I can.

I just want you to know that in one year, I quit smoking, went from fat to fit, and finished Ironman South Africa in 16 hours and 12 minutes. It changed my life forever. Thank you so much."

"Believe in me."

Just three words that really ask so little, but mean so much.

Do you think there is someone "out there" that needs you to believe in them? You bet there is. It's just that we don't live in the moment--in the present-, and the opportunity to make a difference is often fleeting and we let it pass by because our focus is somewhere else.

Remember, just a few words, something you do, or something you write can change the course of a person's life forever.

If Ironstruck inspires you to reach new heights and becoming more then you ever thought possible, you in turn will pay it forward and inspire others through your actions.

You will will pay it forward by motivating and inspiring others to become more, just as you did.

Each of us can make the world just a little better by responding to people who yearn for someone to realize their worth, to see the potential they have and to respond to that one simple plea.

"Believe in me."

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