How blessed are 你 (nǐ)?

This blog will be a tiny bit longer than usual :)

Boy…I hope I didn’t butcher the formal use of “YOU”.

Thanksgiving has passed us by, the second season of the Holidays are in full swing. We now move to the New Year. I have been posting frequently about my blessings, after a challenging few years. I don’t want to continuously dive into it, because, eventually I will outgrow it, like an old pair of shoes. However, it will never leave me.

What it has challenged me to do, is to reflect. I’m going back many years, but I think it’s important for me to cognizant of how grateful I should be. Brad Sohner, (nod to you if you are reading) was unable to commentate Tour of Qinghai Lake. So, the other guy, that does commentary, headed off to China for 9 days. Where does the grateful come in to this story?

Here goes. I was in the media van, with photographers, videographers and others, from around the world. We became this misfit group that travelled hours to each stage. We shared stories over the miles.

Who knows where in China

City to city. (The Chinese idea of a small city is 1 million. I am still stunned by this today.)

The first few stages I was trying to settle in and grasp the enormity of what China was. The people. The culture. The oppression! This is when it hit me. I watch the Tour De France because I WANT to. Not because “I have to”. We were traveling from the start of one stage to the finish line, of that state, I commented. “Jesus, look at all these fans”. The English speaking staff hushed. I was wondering what I said. One of the media said, quietly. They aren’t fans, they are forced to watch. I was like WTF!? I don’t want to go deep into politics, but essentially the “police” would scurry into each town, before the caravan arrival, and would “request” the presence of the families to the roadside. Millions and millions of Chinese were “Watching” the race?! I was torn. How could so many beautiful people, watching our beloved sport, aren’t watching, because they WANT TO.

The single greatest thing that we have in the free world…is freedom. The right to chose between right and wrong. Good or bad. Vote for who you want, eat bad food, eat good food, drink alcohol or be sober. It’s YOUR decision. These people really don’t have that luxury. They hear about freedom. They hear about being able to travel, go here and there, how and when you want. That does not exist in most of China.

I am grateful this holiday. The opportunity to appreciate EVEN more today, than I did 6 years ago. In the past, I may have not been thankful for good health, happiness and humility. I am now. Many things I did NOT have for the better part of 8 years. I have now.

I hope during this holiday you will recognize, reflect and redeem. Love the ones that are close and far. After all, it could be worse, like places that don’t have the luxuries we have.

How blessed are we?

Tailwinds,

Chad

PS: The Tibetan Plateau is an incredibly beautiful and magical place. Check out some photos!