Significant Outcomes in the Face of Adversity

# Living, Learning, Loving

Posted by Dave Cooke on Sep 17, 2025 in Commitment, Focus, Uncategorized | 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!!

3 Responses to “Living, Learning, Loving”

1. Sallylyn says:
   September 17, 2025 at 4:11 pm

   Hey Dave,

   I wish you could record your meetings with me. I still remember when I first told you I was getting divorced. I was scared and started to cry. And you helped me understand while life isn’t always easy it’s always worth it. I know I have accomplished a lot and I want to you know that your friendship and support have been a big part of that. You mentioned in this article you are trying to get around things. That going AROUND things will only make the rough journey longer. Face the situation and go THROUGH it and then you will get to the other side much faster. I think you taught me that. Remember you have to have some rain in order to see the rainbow. I think Dolly Parton said that or something similar.

   reply
   - Dave Cooke says:
     September 17, 2025 at 4:21 pm

     Thanks for the kind words. “Face the situation and go through it” … yes, I probably said something like that more than once. Appreciate the reminder and the support!

     reply
2. Karen Goldberg says:
   September 19, 2025 at 12:53 am

   Dave - I shared your 100 Pedals website with my brother today. He is struggling with his daughter’s addiction and troubling behavior. You have no idea who you have helped today or may help tomorrow. Keep telling your story and sharing your insights. And don’t forget to ask for help when you need it.

   reply

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