Change The Landscape

The water in the starting pond flows downstream towards two narrow openings – each one about as wide as a single lane road.

From my perspective, I can see water from the crashing waves splash up above the horizon lines of the two whitewater channels. Beyond the rapids is the skyline of downtown Oklahoma City.

I turn my kayak 180 degrees in the starting pond to discover the backed-up traffic jam of cars on I-35 as commuters crawl through their commute home from work. What could they be thinking as they catch glimpses of this brand new urban whitewater center with brand new boaters on the course?

For the past 6 1/2 years, I have used my four decades of whitewater experience to explain to Oklahomans what a downtown whitewater center would look like, feel like, and be like. As our late friend and extraordinary river advocate, Jim Chandler, used to say, "It's like trying to explain what an elephant looks like to someone who has never seen an elephant."

But this weekend? No more explanations or descriptions that begin with "It's sort of like..."

Whitewater paddlesports in Oklahoma City, now, is a daily offering. This past weekend, on its grand opening to the public, the new Oklahoma Riversport Adventures venue hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Now that’s bold!

Whitewater has changed the landscape in a location we wouldn’t expect. When I say landscape, I don’t mean the view around us or the dirt under our feet.

Changing a landscape moves the dirt inside of you. 

The vision of a new landscape launches hope - hope of something better, aligned with progress, along with the shedding of dead weight.

But, for some, a new landscape threatens their Comfortable Operating Systems (COS). They resist. It is easier to stay put and wait for, "Told you so."

Resistance is an enemy that can be confused as an ally and it sounds like:

"That will never work!" 

"Who would want to do that here?"

“The money could be used for something else!”

The parallel between the currents of whitewater and the currents of life is closely aligned. The current moves more than just water. It moves people, perspectives, and ideas.

Life is not static. And like a river, it is multi-directional. In life’s current you can choose to:

1. Swirl in one familiar place,
2. Move backwards in a slow eddy where flotsam and debris gather,
3. Flow forward into untested waters to engage in fresh scenery, unexpected opportunities, and new interactions.

What is your current? And if it is not where you want to be, take one courageous paddle stroke and you’ll immediately engage in a new *life landscape.*

It is time for me to launch from the starting pond here at the top of the new whitewater course in Oklahoma City. As I will suggest to the new boaters who I am about to coach just downstream on the course:

Embrace uncertainty.  This is the landscape that will change you.

Thank you for reading my post?—?I’m Joe.

After winning an Olympic Gold Medal for the United States, I followed an expected corporate path reaching the rank of CEO.

Following a long stint, I walked away from that job knowing there must be a better way.

I now travel the world presenting at conferences, as well as to work with corporations and their leaders, business owners, and influencers about performance, life purpose and serving to full potential.

In other words, I work with Leaders just like You.

You can learn more about me at JoeJacobi.com.

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