In London, I asked the hotel
receptionist (it’s a guy, you know you thought of a gender) about directions.
He began telling me about a H58 bus and what not, and I stopped him. “Which
way? I’m going to run there…on foot.” He snickered and looked at me like I was
nuts. Same reaction I get in the U.S. for running. What? Mofos don’t run
anymore? People do. In the U.S. they run, in London I saw them running. In
India, only on my way to Mangalore airport I was inspired by an Indian woman
who did more than run. She walked on the edge of the road in nutty traffic from
the direction of the airport. I don’t know really where she came from or where
she was going, but she was neatly dressed with a dignified look on her face.
Watching her, I quickly thought back
to one year in high school. I remember kids puzzled, some laughing asking me “Why
were you pushing a shopping cart down the road all by yourself?” Till this day,
I think it was the most sensible response and reason. It was the same year I began
working out to begin competing as a bodybuilder. In my world, I need no cars if
I have my legs. In my world, I need no money if I have valuable friendship and
family. In my world, I’m not lost if a destination exists. In this world there
are few visitors to come by, but, the ones who do always motivate me.
Last night, at 1:30am (London time)
I decided to walk to the London Heathrow airport for action and internet wifi. The
scene was dead but I stayed until 5:30am. Before I left, I began thinking, “There
is always a solution. Never panic.” I have lived by this and it has become my
motto. It’s far from perfected. The discussion in my head was mainly for
internalizing my own belief. The walk to the airport may seem odd to people,
but I get there in 10-15min. JFK and La Guardia airports would do well to get a
walking lane TOO! What’s 15min. or even 20min.?
In a Florida high school where
everyone drives, I told my peers, “I had to carry a 30lbs dumbbell home.” Honestly,
it may have been 25lbs. Anyway, I pushed the cart from the mall and traveled
maybe 2-5 miles home. I can’t remember the mileage, but I couldn’t wait for my
family to drop what they were doing just to drive me. It was a bit difficult,
but, I was also trying something more difficult and more amazing. Three years
later, I was a teen finalist in NABBA and I wasn’t even entirely focused on
that one sport.
The woman who I saw walking down
the hill from Mangalore airport only days ago, she inspired me. Just by walking. And, I’ll reuse this
story in a few days from now to discuss veganism and exercise and anything I feel
my mind needs to share with people who will hear me. The woman: She was walking
amongst cars screeching around the corner feverishly trying to make departures,
with NO sidewalk, nothing but peril and still more miles to go as there was
nothing but space between civilization and that Mangalore airport. No joy, but no
fear either written on her face. I took time to notice her impression, albeit,
I could not tell you one piece of fabric she wore, but I know she was not
unkept. When I felt fear for her and saw her lack of caution I knew ‘whatever
has to get done was done that day, by her.’
As for me and my run, it was the
best day in London so far. I found an apple tree…you know I took some apples,
about nine. I took pictures on my run. I saw the biggest snail I ever saw,
sadly that was after I mistakenly killed one. I put it off the road along with some
of his/her buddies so they’d be safer. Goats! I saw three goats that seemed to
belong to no one. Ok, don’t believe me. It’s the UK, you know. They belonged to
no one. Also, I found an adapter to UK’s outlet and some veggies and other food
I could actually afford. I would have missed half of this precious experience on
a bus or in a car. And of course, I would not be more prepared for my fight at
the end of this month when I return to the ring in the States.
Last night, when I was at the Heathrow’s
airport (I know, I spend too much time near planes) I thought about how to
convey to people how to problem solve and how fighters muster up courage and
even win when things look bleak at first. Imagine playing an adventurous video
game like Super Mario Bros or Metroid. After breaking the game, you buy another
one and then after several more attempts and different tactics you finally beat
a very difficult level. You eventually lose again of course. You were still in
shock from the win. However, when you arrived at the difficult level again that
has caused you pain and money you used the same exact tactic for the same exact
level. Voila! You beat it with ease. Your mind then takes that victory and expands
your strategic GAME plan to beat the future levels. Not with the same exact
approach, but with an almost hybrid-approach to creating another winning solution.
Once you know that the harder
levels are conquerable and even easier once mastered you’ll only want more
challenges in life to expand your mental and physical capacity. You need nothing in your pocket, no vehicle,
and no direction but your own. Build yourself.
Oooohhh…check out my cool pics from today (10/3/13...London)! J
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| Yum! Free!!! |
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| They did not want to play. One did act photogenic though. |
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| The size of 50 pence & 2 rupee. Actually, had no quarter. |
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| Even in London with an exchange, it's cheaper than U.S.! |
