Why is There Always a Headwind?

First, I hope all you dads reading this had a nice Father's Day!

This post was inspired by bike rides during which there seems to be a headwind in at least 3 directions no matter what loop route I take. My physics knowledge is not strong enough to explain that but I have heard the same comments from other cyclists. I get how wind moves around buildings, but why is it always a headwind and not a refreshing and helpful tailwind? And how does it swing exactly opposed to whatever direction I go? Head north and get a gusty headwind, turn 180 degrees to the south and voila, the wind turns too.

The above is a solid metaphor for life. Like a long, rewarding bike ride, nothing in life worth doing is easy. Life rarely provides a nice tailwind to push us ahead. More often than not, there is at least a slight breeze in our face, which at times feels like a hurricane trying to push us back. Just like the cyclist who bears down and pedals through that wind, in order to grow and progress we must do the same to overcome the obstacles in our path. Embrace the challenge and use it to become stronger.

One all too familiar headwind over the last 14+ months has been Covid and the resulting restrictions. This one counts as a category 5 hurricane coming straight at us, unrelenting in its ferocity. For too many people, this was a force too strong to handle and the headwind got the best of them, metaphorically causing them to quite their ride. That wind is finally subsiding so if you are one of those who got off your bike, it’s time to get back on and start pedaling again.

On the other hand, some embraced the headwind as just another part of the challenge. Retiring just before Covid hit I could have gone either way. Many friends said my timing was really bad, but to me it was perfect. My wife and I got our annual trip to the Keys in and even extended it a couple of days to celebrate my freedom. I had lunches with some still-working friends, and got to a few doctor’s appointments before the lockdowns hit. Once Covid took over, I was happy to not be on Zoom calls all day. Sure, doing things on my own was not as fun as being with friends, but bike riding, disc golf, aimless drives (no traffic!), and reading kept me plenty busy. For me, the key was to focus on the positive and pedal harder into that wind.

Yeah, the headwind forced me to change my plans, but it also got me thinking about possibilities. If it weren’t for the lockdowns and restrictions, I probably would not have started this blog as writing was not part of my plan. During a lot of conversations with friends – via Zoom or socially distanced – many focused solely on the negative impacts to themselves and others, to small businesses, and to the economy. The devastation to small businesses and many families is unparalleled, but at the same time a slew of new opportunities came out of the new reality that continues to evolve. Those focused on the possibilities will come out ahead, just like the cyclist who pushes through the wind to complete the ride. I’m in no way minimizing the damage inflicted by the pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and restrictions. My point is that we have a choice to focus on the positive or negative side of things, and that choice determines how we react and ultimately how we weather life’s storms.

As you face the headwinds of life, use them to become stronger and to grow; savor the times with no wind; and harness those rare tailwinds to accelerate your pace.