Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet?

Years ago, this was the big question my brother and I would ask my parents as we were driving to Geauga Lake. The amusement park seemed so far away from our home on the west side of Cleveland and the journey so long.

Later, this was the question for even longer trips — to Sandusky and Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati, and even to Michigan and Pennsylvania.

The speed of time seems to fluctuate, passing in an instant when we are immersed in activities and moving so slowly at other times.

Of course, it’s not the speed of time that is changing but, rather, our perception of time.

Adapting to longer car trips makes a 45-minute drive from one side of town to the other seem quick, and living during a pandemic makes a year seem much (much) longer.

Are we there yet?

If you are looking forward to the future, the question may be filled with excitement and impatience.

The answer to this question can confirm that we are on the right path or inspire a change in not only the direction but also the method of moving forward.

Whatever your goal or destination, sometimes the trip will be quick and the route known. Many times, however, the trip will be longer and the route — at least parts of it — will be unknown.

When you know where you are going or what goal — fitness or otherwise — you are aiming to achieve, you can take the next step.

Sometimes you will be confident moving toward your goal independently. Other times, you may seek the support of others.

When you are unsure of your destination or target goal, taking the next step may seem hard or impossible. It’s at these moments that it’s even more important to be patient with yourself and ask for help if you need it.

Even though uncertainty and change are part of life, sometimes we get comfortable and forget that almost nothing is guaranteed.

If you are feeling stuck and circumstances beyond your control are impacting your plans…

You can make new choices.

You can change directions.

You can set new goals. (You can discard goals, too.)

You can also speed up (or slow down) if you aren’t happy with the pace of your progress.

Are we there yet?

When you ask this question, know that your feelings about the question can serve as a reflection of what you are experiencing — and also as a guide for moving forward.

…And if you’re asking about 2021, no — we’re not there yet, but we will be very soon.

Here’s the silver lining: we are currently receiving training in patience, resilience, and interdependence as we work toward a future that is unknown. (Note: If you are feeling frustrated right now, it’s okay — feeling frustrated during training of any sort is to be expected at times, and we’ve been training much longer than a typical athletic season, potentially with players who don’t realize we’re all on the same team.)

The change from one year to the next might be arbitrary (it could be a change from one week or one season to the next), but it’s an opportunity to start again with hope for a better year than the one we are leaving behind.