100 Pedals

Significant Outcomes in the Face of Adversity

## Where that inner calm can take us

November 25, 2025 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

True peace comes from having the courage to focus on the mission at hand while ignoring the chaos of the storm.

Peace is that inner calm that does not distract you from the task at hand so you can focus on what you have committed to without worry, regret, fear, or doubt. It takes courage to make a focused choice. From that place of inner calm we are able to be strong and willful to follow through.

I have witnessed many people go into highly stressful, chaotic situations. Those moments where the pressure is at its highest point and nerves are frayed and tested. They step up and take command and seem to be completely oblivious to the environment that they are in. Many refer to this state as “staying in the moment.”

When you ask them later how they did it, they confidently and humbly reply I simply focused on what I needed to do. Easier said than done!

This is the difference between bold, confident execution and missing opportunity. Instead of finding peace — that inner focus, calm and confidence — that enables someone to step into an opportunity and shine, many (me included) hesitate, examine the situation, assess our ability to succeed and then take action, most of the time. The minute we hesitate, we have lost our focus in the moment and are now in conflict with ourselves. We are not peaceful anymore and our courage is tested.

When I get up to give a talk, I think nothing of the situation. I know that whether the room is filled with ten people or five hundred, that I have a story, a message and a gift. I have been called on to speak because they trust me, believe in me, and want me to step up. I focus on the talk, the stories, and engage the audience without hesitation. If I took one moment to reflect on the situation, I would be distracted, interrupt my energy, and likely create unnecessary internal tension at that moment when peace is my most powerful ally. The outcome of that distraction likely will have some impact on my talk.

We are thrust into situations or presented opportunities because we are capable of succeeding in them. Having the courage to boldly, unhesitatingly, and confidently seizing the moment without distraction or doubt is what peace is all about. Don’t give in to the chaos of the moment, find peace in your ability to be awesome in the midst of it and boldly move forward.

Filed Under: Embrace Responsibility Tagged With: courage, dealing with conflict, finding peace, having courage, managing chaos, peace, personal leadership

## Flowing Through Adversity Like Water

June 14, 2025 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

“Flow like pure water through difficult situations.”

In the face of challenging or difficult situations, the best course of action is to act like water. Think of the path that water takes on its journey as it passes over rocks, finds a path around formidable obstacles, discovers crevices or cracks to keep it moving, and relaxes and recovers by forming deep pools to collect itself.

As our journey offers similar forms of challenges, obstacles and opportunities, we could accomplish a great deal by taking the same approach water does on its course, . In the face of a challenge, it is much more productive to maintain positive and peaceful energy. Flow with the adversity, much as water flows.

The path to accomplishment is most powerful and productive when we keep moving and flowing forward in a positive, confident manner. Even though the pace of that movement may be slowed or altered by obstacles, it is up to us to maintain our positive energy and discover a path that keeps us moving, The three successful mindsets are: stay positive and confident, embrace the lessons that exist in the obstacle, and keep moving with confidence and clarity.

Just as water flows peacefully and continuously on its defined course, so too can you move peacefully and confidently on yours.

Filed Under: Inspirational Perspectives Tagged With: dealing with adversity, dealing with conflict, dealing with obstacles, embracing adventure, embracing the journey, enjoying the journey, finding peace, I Ching, living with confidence, maintaining progress

## Removing the Obstacles

April 24, 2025 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

On Sunday I started a new 100Pedals 100Day Challenge. My current challenge is to “consult” the I Ching or “Book of Changes.” I started thumbing through this book and found the inspirational perspectives resonate with much of how I live, think, and feel. There are great insights for living in this book and I find freshness of these inspirations most enjoyable. Upon occasion, I will share my daily inspirations. Today, is one of those days.

Wednesday, April 24: 7. SHIH/THE ARMY and .59 HuAN/DISPERION

> “In times of war it is desirable to be led by a cautious and humane general.”

> In the face of adversity, how we prepare, who leads us, and how we conduct ourselves defines the outcome. Discipline, perseverance, and balance are key references. Putting inferior emotions under the guidance of superior emotions help achieve peace and detachment from the situation.

> ”Disperse hard attitudes with gentleness.”

> When we find ourselves in a negative state our attitudes have a tendency to be structured and inflexible. Finding that place of peace opens our mind and enables us to be more flexible and receptive.

The 100Pedals View:

In the face of adversity, trust the path you are on. Be at peace with the obstacle in front of you. Have faith and confidence that you will find your way through it. Have the discipline to keep moving. Be open, receptive to and aware of opportunities that present themselves to help you work through or go around the obstacles in your adverse moments.

Filed Under: Focusing On Your Vision, Inspirational Perspectives, Managing Adversity Tagged With: Book of Changes, dealing with conflict, dealing with obstacles, faith, I Ching, managing adversity, managing distractions, peace, staying focused, trust, trusting the journey, trusting the path, trusting your vision

## Managing The Storms In Our Life

March 25, 2025 by Dave Cooke 3 Comments

“While the choices and decisions of others hurt, confound, and destroy; the choices you make are what define where you are going and how you will get there.”

I knew that something was seriously wrong as I watched the police walk up my stairs to the front door. Brandon had just come over and was going to hang out for a while. Immediately, I sensed they were here for him. Since everything appeared to be headed in a better direction in his life, I was hoping that my fears would be calmed and that their visit had another purpose.

I was wrong.

They were here for him. They identified him, handcuffed him, searched him, and led him away. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t try to give me any information. One minute he was here and the next minute he was not.

Who knows where he is, what is going to happen next or how long he will be gone.

That was my Saturday night. Certainly not the one I was looking forward to.

I had a very sleepless night. I woke up often, slept little, and my mind raced. Despite the fact that I am hurt, angry, worried, concerned, and disappointed, I am also finding my own peace in the midst of chaos.

I love each of my children more than anything. I desire for them to celebrate the life they have and to discover the joy that exists within them to be who they are and love who they are. But, my children, like your children, are human. And, some people just seem destined to follow their own unique, challenging, scary, stupid, and inexplicable path.

Here is where I find my inner peace. As much as Brandon’s path hurts, confounds, and confuses — it is his life. While I am responsible to him for love, guidance, support, and advice — I cannot define, control, or change his choices. This is his path and his journey.

As I sit here today, drinking my coffee, writing this article, and feeling his absence, I remind myself that who I am, where I am going, and what I have committed to live and do is not defined by, or can be interrupted by, the life Brandon has chosen to live. He is on his very special, unique journey. I am on mine. He is loved more than any son can be loved. That is all I can do, especially now.

Life interrupts our momentum with the biggest of hurts, distractions and challenges. No one enjoys them, looks forward to them, or even asks for them. They come anyway. What you do, where you go, and how you live in the face of these adversities is measured by how effectively you stay on your path as you go through it. Adversities can slow you and distract you — but, they also define you. When the storm hits — be strong, stay focused, and keep moving. Trust your path and you will get through it. And, remind yourself to trust that others are on their very unique path, as well — their journey is not yours to define or manage.

This is how I am finding peace in a very dark place. I hope you can and will too!

Filed Under: Embrace Responsibility, Focusing On Your Vision, Giving Love, Managing Adversity Tagged With: dealing with adversity, dealing with conflict, dealing with obstacles, discovering peace, embracing the journey, finding peace, focusing on your vision, maintaining focus, maintaining momentum, managing adversity, managing chaos, trusting the path

## Your Choice!

March 11, 2025 by Dave Cooke 1 Comment

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” ~ Richie Norton

Happiness is a choice. We have the freedom to choose how we feel about anything; and, we have the ability to control our responses, our reactions, our emotions and our behaviors to the events around us.

We often give others far too much ability to influence how we feel. Everyone has those days when they are emotionally, physically, or spiritually bruised by another. Feeling the sting of those behaviors or outcomes is part of the unfortunate or negative experience. Managing that event and how it influences or defines future actions is completely umder your control.

I read two articles on Friday that offered incredible clarity and perspective on the subject. As both came to my attention on the same day, I decided to make it the focus of this week’s reflection.

> “As much I as want to control the events in my life, today I accept that I am powerless over anyone other than myself. This starts with my thinking, my intentions and my behavior. As the mom writes, ‘I can control only my own mind and in turn my actions…and begin to experience inner peace.’ ” — Libby Cataldi

> “Happiness is something we choose. And when we sincerely choose happiness as a governing principle of our lives, we quickly learn that circumstance has no inherent power. Any power that our life circumstance holds, is power that we give it.” – Richie Norton

Both of these authors experienced incredible personal, parental trauma. Libby has written a very powerful book and contributes to a weekly blog –“Stay Close” — relating to her experiences with her son’s addiction. She shares her stories about love, commitment, and endurance in the face of a parent’s most difficult and challenging nightmare – addiction.

Richie has also authored a book and shares a regular blog — “Start with Doing Something Stupid.” Much of what he writes about discusses finding and living in happiness – all of which was written and shared about his commitment to live a happy life following the death of one of his children.

What they share relates back to my feelings and emotions as I dealt with Brandon’s addiction. There was a time where I was convinced that if I loved, worked, coaxed, and inspired Brandon, he would find a path to recovery. I worked so hard at influencing this outcome that I felt the loss, hopelessness and despair of a father who had failed in his mission when Brandon didn’t come around and change his life. Until Brandon was in a better place I was completely unable to find peace, joy, or happiness in my life. I was allowing Brandon’s choices and behaviors to influence how I felt and what I did.

Once I discovered that my happiness was not defined by his outcomes, I was able to find peace and happiness in my life. I came to realize that I only had control over two things – my attitude and my effort. I was able to embrace the opportunity and celebrate the joy that existed in my life – the way I was living it – independent of Brandon’s influence.

Once I became clear as to the direction I desired for my life and my commitment to this path, I was able to break free of the control and influence of the adversities around me and find my inner peace. While I still get jostled around by life’s little and big adventures, my ability to work through them and stay on course are the result of the power I have given to me rather than to the occurrences around me that would normally distract or hurt me.

You have the power to define your course and stay on your path. Peace, joy and happiness are defined and discovered from within you. It is always a wonderful occurrence when those around you feed that appetite and that emotion; however, they are ultimately yours to develop, own, and control.

When someone hits you with an emotional brick remember – you have the power to define how you want to feel about it and how long you will allow it to distract you.

Filed Under: Embrace Responsibility, Inspirational Perspectives, Maintaining Focus, Managing Adversity Tagged With: addiction, addiction in your family, attitude, controlling influences in our lives, dealing with adversity, dealing with conflict, death of a child, Do Something Stupid, effort, empowerment, inspiration in the face of adversity, Libby Cataldi, managing adversity, parenting, parents of addicts, Richie Norton, Stay Close, the power of our choices, what we control

## Seeing the Finish Line

February 11, 2026 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

Bringing the finish line into in your mind long before you get started is what drives you through the adversities you will likely face along the way.

Not everyone loves a physical challenge. Yet, I am certain everyone likes a good challenge — a puzzle, a word game, a new recipe, even an intelligent debate. There is a different level of energy engaging in an activity that tests our mind, our bodies or both. I am pretty confident most people enjoy activities that stimulate, challenge, or test them.If you are like me, you probably love a good physical challenge. I enjoy testing, pushing, and extending myself to tackle a daunting physical task. Taking myself to a new level that tests my limits is big part of my life.

Almost no one relishes the challenges associated with life’s adversities. We usually don’t register or sign-up to get fired, become seriously ill, or struggle with a relationship problem. These challenges are rarely fun or enjoyable. And, they often aren’t easily solved or managed in a day or two.

Both types of challenges have two striking similarities. While testing and challenging us, we have a tremendous opportunity to learn from them. And, envisioning ourselves at the end of the finish line — real or imagined — is what keeps us moving forward.

When caught up in the storm of our unplanned, less desired adversity our instinctive response is survival. The task at hand is to simply get through the day and figure out what to do next to solve or deal with the problem. The survival instinct is deeply embedded in our own human nature.

Getting to the finish line in any situation requires some visual understanding or expectation to what the finish line looks like. Imagine the finish line. Imagine yourself feeling and celebrating the experience of crossing that finish line. Imagine the excitement, the joy, and the satisfaction of arriving at that celebratory place. When you bring your finish line into focus, your ability to push, persevere, and keep moving is greatly enhanced.

Today’s struggles take time, energy, effort and determination. Sometimes finding the strength to put one foot in front of the other is very difficult. When you know what success and accomplishment looks and feels like — taking those steps and making that effort has purpose. Create a vision of your celebration and you will get there!

Filed Under: Celebrating Accomplishment, Focusing On Your Vision, Maintaining Focus, Make A Commitment, Managing Adversity Tagged With: creating a vision, crossing the finish line, dealing with adversity, dealing with conflict, dealing with obstacles, embracing your vision, focusing on your vision, perseverance, visioning your success

## Responding to Life’s Adversities

January 14, 2026 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

100Pedals ISM #2: Life is a continuous series of challenges and opportunities — how we respond to them defines the progress, effectiveness and experiences of our journey.

- Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens with you.
- You are an active participant in life’s events - you are there, you have always been there, and you will always be there.
- When life shows up, your first thoughts and actions are emotionally based — this is your reaction to them.
- These are manifested in emotional behaviors such as pain, hurt, joy, betrayal, fear, excitement, love, happiness, loss, or more.
- There is a significant difference and result between a reaction and a response.
- A reaction is a physical or non-cognitive expression of your emotions at work.
- A response is a cognitive process for dealing with the situation from this point forward.
- There is little need spending time managing, understanding, or dealing with what cannot be changed.
- Your priority in adversity is organizing your thoughts in relation to your purpose, your vision, and your values.
- These are best defined by your commitment to who you are, where you are going and what you stand for.
- It is important to follow your heart provided you are following the heart that understands your purpose, vision, and values.

I am a highly, energized emotional individual. Throughout my life, I have been very effective at reacting to situations. Many times my emotions often got the best of me. Through the experiences of the past few years, I discovered that feeling, experiencing and connecting with my emotions is an important part of the learning process. I also learned that nothing is accomplished when I react emotionally to events. As I have developed more clarity and focus around my purpose and my values, I have discovered the power of responding to events rather than reacting to them. In this shift, I have found more peace, wasted less emotional energy, better understood my responsibilities in these situations, maintained better progress on my journey, and more successful in honoring my commitments. The first step in the process is to be more clear in who you are, where you are going and what you stand for. When you successfully and clearly define you, responding to live’s challenges become great learning experiences not distracting, emotional episodes.

Over the next few weeks I will sharing 100Pedals ISM‘s. An ISM is an “Inspiring, Simple Mantra.” It has been two years since I began my personal transformational journey known as 100Pedals. Over that period, I have shared over 200 perspectives, thoughts, and experiences through articles or blogs on this site. Yet, I am not completely confident that I have succeeded in clearly defining what 100Pedals is. In order to more clearly define 100Pedals, I am going to share some of my core beliefs and experiences in an organized manner. Hopefully this will more clearly define the beliefs, values, and philosophies behind 100Pedals.

Filed Under: Embrace Responsibility, Maintaining Focus, Managing Adversity Tagged With: dealing with adversity, dealing with conflict, dealing with obstacles, focusing on your vision, managing adversity, managing setbacks, responding to adversity, visioning your success

## Living, Learning, Loving

September 17, 2025 by Dave Cooke 3 Comments

Your story will not be told by you, it will be shared and lived through those you have touched, loved, and inspired along the way!

Last week I dropped the following poem on my timeline in Facebook. I have no idea where it came from or what inspired me to write a poem. Just like random songs pop in our heads, this poem just showed up.

When I looked at it this morning as I prepared to share my weekly inspiration, I started to reflect on my current life view. I would love to proudly and boldly share that I have had a great week or two. Unfortunately, I have not been flying on wings lately. The past few weeks have been a massive struggle for me. I won’t get into the details other than I will share that while I have been minimally living my commitment, I am not feeling very positive about life. The lack of progress on my mission, some of the pressures that we all face are bigger than normal, and I am facing some obstacles that I am struggling to ignore, move past, or simply get around. We have all been there. Some of you might be there right now.

When I reread this poem from Friday, it made me think. It made me re-examine my attitude, my perspective, my challenges, and my commitment. Take a moment to read this poem…

> #### Life is good, life is bad, life is fun, life is sad!

> #### You live your life day to day,

> #### And learn your lessons along the way.

> #### When your life is over and the song is sung,

> #### What will be your story of what you’ve done?

> #### Celebrate each day and share your gift,

> #### Inspire those around you and give them a lift.

> #### And when you have nothing else to share,

> #### Don’t be surprised to find someone there,

> #### With a hug or smile or a loving smack,

> #### To offer something to you or to thank you back!

> #### Remember it is not what you become that makes you great,

> #### It is how you touched, inspired, and loved along the way!!

We live our life over the long haul. Unfortunately, we all keep score on a daily basis. When we keep score on a daily basis, tracking progress is difficult, because progress is incremental. Expecting a big shift or change in outcomes from one day to the next, is unreasonable and distracting. The road of our journey is continuous and long — it lasts a lifetime. Measuring and tracking progress on a daily basis is expecting too much in too short a time.

The best activity we can engage in is to live and celebrate our accomplishments related to our commitment. When we celebrate little accomplishments we build confidence, maintain momentum, and we make progress. Sometimes this simply has to be sufficient — for we cannot always have the wind at our back!

The story of your life will not be measured or told in that one time you celebrated an incredible accomplishment or hit that monstrous goal. For that is only a moment in a long series of interactions. The story of your life will be measured by how you used, shared, and developed your gifts, talents, and experiences to guide, support, love, and teach others over your lifetime.

The story of your life will not and cannot be told by you. It will be told by those who were touched and impacted by you. The power of that story will not be measured in how the story is told; rather, it will be measured by how your inspiration, support, guidance, and love live on and through others and are passed on to others.

As I sit here today, dealing with the frustrating distractions that are troubling me, I have to remind myself of what I expect of me. Even though I am not satisfied with what I desire, what I believe I need, or am not pleased with all the answers I desire for my life, that is not what is really important. For those are selfish thoughts.

There are people in my life and in my world, who are looking for the advice, support, guidance, love and perspectives that I have to offer. I cannot get so caught up in my negative energy that I cannot freely give or share of my gifts, talents, and experiences. It is my commitment and my passion to be there for others, regardless.

Every day that I make my unique talents and energy available to others, I am living my commitment. Every day I live my commitment is another day to celebrate the progress of my journey. While I don’t always feel or see the progress, it doesn’t matter. Little steps lead to big outcomes and I am not going to lose or give up my momentum for any reason!!

Filed Under: Maintaining Focus, Make A Commitment Tagged With: dealing with adversity, dealing with conflict, managing adversity, your story