Hills and Headwinds (Helping Others is the Best Way to Help Yourself)

Along the way I’ve discovered that when I’m encouraging others my burden is lighter and I take very little notice of life’s difficulties.

Here’s something you should know about me that will make this story a bit more impactful: I don’t often say ‘I hate,’ but this time I’m going to make an exception because I really do hate hills and headwinds when I’m riding my bike. These two things are not fun for me and, while I’m embarrassed to admit it, they often reduce me to a whiny little child complaining about how hard it is and desperately wishing I was sitting on my couch eating pasta (or some other equally delicious carbohydrate).

Recently, I participated in the Tour de Nebraska bike ride, and in those five days we were blessed with an excess of two things—you guessed it: hills and headwind. In fact, on Friday the headwind was 23+ mph gusting to 41 mph.

Did I mention that I hate headwinds?

But, despite these challenges, I can honestly say I had a wonderful time riding my bike across Nebraska. Not once did I raise my voice to lament my circumstances. Not once did I stop and refuse to go on. Not once did I wish I was sitting on my couch eating pasta. (Well, maybe once.) No, instead, I truly enjoyed the ride all day, every day—even the hills, even the headwind.

Looking back, I realized that the difference was this: I was riding with a wonderful group of people; we were all struggling together, and I was the incessant voice of cheerful optimism, loudly encouraging those who were lagging and merrily declaring that not only could we do this, but that we were having fun—I was the self-appointed cheerleader (pompoms excluded). And you know what? I was right, we did it and we had fun. Even I was surprised.

This experience made me realize that when I stop focusing on my own problems and instead take time to reach out to help others, I’m always happier. I discovered that as I encouraged others and bolstered their flagging resolve I was strengthened and I began believing the words of encouragement I spoke to others.

So join me as I truly take the words of Jesus found in Luke 10:27 to heart: “He said, ‘That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself’” (MSG). Because as I experienced that windy day on a bike in Nebraska, when I take the focus off myself and instead take time to encourage others, my spirits are also lifted.

Final Thought: Sometimes just a few cheerful words make all the difference.