Fear vs Respect

    •    Fear is toxic.
    •    Respect is nurturing.
    •    Fear destroys self-confidence. Respect builds it.
    •    Fear is life-threatening. Respect is life-enhancing.
    •    Fear is forced. Respect is earned.
    •    Fear is learned. Respect is earned.   

In a moment of clarity this morning as Clo hammered out another FTP test (at 98% of max HR on tired legs and in the attempt to manage myriad distraction), where Rob very workmanlike did a set of 2x20s and Yasuyo made a triumphant return testing a 70% of FTP set, this thought hit center stage with curtains drawn and spotlights on:

I am thrilled to be in a place and time where we have:
Intelligent marijuana laws;
Fairness in same-sex relationships;
A female Governor;
A black President.

Hurray for us!!!!!! We have (temporarily, belatedly or presumably) stepped outside of the fear box. I can hear the alcoholic, straight, misogynistic, racist, bigots holler already: Fagot, hippie, weakling, hypocrite.

Let 'em holler.

Fear will be responsible for 47% of votes today.
Respect will win the day.

Any deep introspective examination will suffice. Take five minutes. Take an hour. Take the rest of the day. Look, listen, act.

Put your heart into action, vote.

Fear IS toxic.

Tomorrow morning at 0530 I will have the distinct privilege of leading the first spin class at the Bainbridge Athletic Club on our new Keiser M3 spin bikes. TALK ABOUT CHANGE!! These steel puppies have built-in power function. That means you will now have data to motivate instead of my grating attempts to coerce you into more effort. Won't THAT be fun??

Maybe. There is a learning curve. We will spend a good deal of time tomorrow going over the functionality and nuance of the new bikes and getting accommodated to the every day use of power. The data is not as accurate as the CompuTrainer, but in the year I have been using them at Avalara, they have proven themselves to be very consistent. And THAT is huge. You might say that they have earned my respect.

And respect is nurturing. Which will get my vote everytime.

Pic: Melissa helps replace fear with respect in the HoM.