Gratitude in the face of a smashing setback

So yes, that is my leg right now...ouch is right! But I feel gratitude...let me tell you more...

Our 250 km ride west of Calgary started off great with 8 of us ready to roll at sunset and, amusingly, all gassed-up.

We climbed and climbed and climbed some more until we reached the summit of Highwood Pass in Kananaskis, Alberta.

Soon after is when things to a massive turn for the worst. Riding 55 km/hour at the back of the group, I crossed from the road, over rumble strips and into the shoulder. Unfortunately something went seriously wrong when I went over the rumble strips: a screw snapped in my stem and my handle bars swung down hard - loose in the stem - and I almost went over the bars. I was able to quickly get back in the saddle and, with little control, ride down the embankment from the road over gravel and dirt and random rocks the size of large watermelons. I managed to dodge the big rocks and eventually, with never touching my breaks, was tossed off my bike (fastest 55 km/hour to zero without breaks I have ever experienced). Landing in a fetal position, I was able to protect my head. I was startled but coherent enough to self-assess whether I was concussed and check to see what bones, teeth, etc. I had broken. Miraculously I appeared to be "shaken not stirred" in that I was bruised but nothing was broken. As I was 10-15 feet below the road, I crawled up to sit on the side of the road so that my friends, who I knew would figure out quickly that they had lost me, could find me in case I passed out or anything else. They indeed found me and confirmed that there did not seem to be any more damage to my body and that my brain seemed to still be working normal. And yes, for you avid cyclists, my bike seemed to be fine other than those handle bars. My ride was clearly over.

Now I could be mad that I had the accident, blame bike technicians for their work, etc. but I have made a conscious decision to seek and express gratitude that:

• I am healthy and able to practice my absolute passion for cycling
• I have amazing friends who care for me and share my passion
• That there were no cyclists or cars that were beside me when I had the accident
• That I was not going faster
• That I was miraculously able to avoid the watermelon rocks which would have ended the accident with a lot more injuries
• That I only have bruises
• That I was not concussed
• That I have no broken bones
• That I did not have any brain injury
• That I did not die
• And yes, that my bike is OK.

That is a pretty long list to be grateful for ignoring all the other parts of my life for which I am truly grateful.

We have a choice at all times to handle adversity by going to a place of anger, frustration and blame. Instead, we should seek the proverbial "silver lining" and land in a place of gratitude.

I am grateful and will try to remember to do so next time I face (hopefully a lot less dramatic) adversity!