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

## The Power of Letting Go

May 28, 2025 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

“Disperse hard attitudes with gentleness.”

This morning’s I Ching was another kind reminder that the obstacles faced are best tackled in quiet confidence, perseverance, and faith. Rather than do battle with the challenges that are currently before me, I am reminded to trust my journey, stay on my path, and find peace midst the chaos.

Embracing the emotions of judgement, anger, fear, anxiety, or desire fosters makes us structured and inflexible — especially in moments of conflict. As these emotions are adverse to our peace, they are also the emotions that will slow or interrupt our progress.

I have historically taken on conflict. Put me in an environment where there is a battle of wills and I will fight to the end. If the battle is between someone I struggle to respect or admire, the battle is even greater and more intense. The outcome of these conflicts rarely ended well. Even if I “won” victory came at some cost.

Despite all that I have accomplished in the past few years, this quote is a stern warning to strengthen one of my weaker traits. In the face of conflict, obstruction, or adversity girding for battle or fighting through is not the path to accomplishment.

The correct path to peace, joy and happiness in life is to face conflict with gentleness. Discover and embrace the positive energy that drives me — write, ride, read, and meditate. From this point of positive emotion — superior emotion is what the I Ching calls it — the negative energy of the obstacle flows past me and the answers or the solution is presented to me.

When life’s adversity jumps in front of me and attempts to slow my journey, the best course of action is to go that place of gentleness — trust, faith, and confidence. From this place of peace the solution or the opportunity is discovered. Avoid the conflict, embrace the peace from within.

Filed Under: Managing Adversity, Practice Humility, The Four Wheels of Personal Leadership Tagged With: discovering peace, finding peace, I Ching, living in peace, managing adversity, managing conflict

## Interrupting the Interruptions

April 1, 2025 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

“The disturbers of happiness are our desires, our griefs, and our fears.” -Samuel Johnson

Last week I shared my most recent, surprising, and disruptive experiences with Brandon. Despite this adversity, I was able to forge ahead and have a very productive, fulfilling week. While I suffered for Brandon and his situation, I was also quite focused that the life I was living and the activities I was engaging is was the path I needed to remain on despite the chaos around me.

As I read this quote shared by Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness Project, I immediately reflected back to a paragraph from last week’s thoughts:

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.

Whether your happiness is being interrupted by external forces or that incessant, internal chatter in your head, the key to remaining focused and on your path is trust. Once you have defined your vision for your life and begin to travel the path toward that vision, the key to staying on course is trust. There will be course corrections, their will be detours and, at times, progress will be slow. This does not mean your vision or your path are flawed or failed. It means you need to trust your choices and your decisions. It means you need to find happiness and peace through the journey — even the confusing, challenging, and difficult parts. And, it means that you need to interrupt those forces — internal or external — that are attempting to derail you along the way by reminding yourself why you defined this path and what you are driving towards.

When you interrupt the interrupters with a focused, committed confidence, you experience peace, joy and happiness in maintaining your effort.

Filed Under: Maintaining Focus, Make A Commitment, Managing Adversity Tagged With: enjoying the journey, finding joy, finding peace, Gretchen Rubin, happiness, The Happiness Project, 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