My Journey Back to Life

Back when I was in high school - when I had heard about the ace cyclist Lance Armstrong - all I did was mugged up his name for GK Exam. Upon being presented with realities of his personal life, his struggles, his revelation - my kinetic energy to learn more about the man or should I say a legend - was invoked.

I picked up "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" -autobiography of cycling phenomenon - Lance Armstrong. The book essentially explains in length story of this a world-class athlete nearly struck down by cancer, only to recover and win the Tour de France, the multiday bicycle race famous for its grueling intensity. But what amazed me was the way Lance has put down minutest aspect of his journey in the game called life. Armstrong is honest and delightful on his relationship with fellow sportsmen his victories & defeats as well. As the title indicates, this book is much less about Armstrong's triumphs on two wheels than about his successful struggle with cancer and its aftermath. Armstrong sees cancer as a part of life that is meant to improve us by making us focus on our difficulties with courage and indominability of spirit. His writing style is vibrant and immediate whether he is detailing events from childhood, racing challenges, the demands of cancer treatment, the in vitro fertilization process, or the joy of becoming a father.

Everything should be investigated under the luminosity of logic & reason is what Lance accentuates time & again in his book. While he is bedridden - down with testicular Cancer - he realises that our everyday life is replete with trials & tribulations of varying degrees & magnitude; he wonders about the emotional high he experienced upon winning his first cycle race; he says afterall life is too short to grumble about things not working to our tune !!

In his battle against Cancer - he used the power of creative visualization and always perceived himself to be the ultimate winner. In a quick series of mental composition of strategy he would be adopting when in race - he used power of his thoughts to train his mind. He also learnt to appreciate small yet happy moments that life offers us everyday. Finally the line from the book that made indelible print in my mind:

"You've got to be so clear that everything you do should be long-lasting. And it should be there for everybody to see & judge."

Mind has the capacity to imagine - choice is yours - Chaos or Cosmos ;)