Pick Up The Pace
By Aidan Roberts
Did your dad ever say “TV isn’t made like it used to be” or “you lot don’t know what you’re missing”? Aidan Roberts goes back in time to uncover some classic one liners.
In the process he has uncovered some priceless nuggets of wisdom! In bygone days my fellow companions and I went through a phase where we researched, sought after and combed the earth for classic expressions from the bygone era's in search of shear comedy. Below is a list of some some of my favourites, I recommend saying these in a David Brent style to maximise your comical enjoyment:
A stitch in time, saves nine
Don't say boo to a goose
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
If you pay peanuts you get monkeys
One of my all time favourite classics is: 'Life's a marathon, not a sprint'. Jokes aside, there's a lot of truth in that. I love the idea of life being like running a race, you're running not wandering, you've got a purpose for your efforts, there's a reason for the hard parts and there's many a moment when there's an incredible luscious view in front of you as you bound down a hill!
Here's three grafting's from the vine of knowledge that'll help you to run your best race!
1. Weight up a minute
When I was growing up I used to love visiting my Grandparents in the summer. They always used to take my two sisters and I to 'Church Stretton' a brilliant collection of bounding hills, self-damable streams and ice cream stalls! It was hear that I was told that the army used to train, by carrying large weights on their backs and running up the hills. I thought this was awesome and loved the idea of loading myself up and breaking through the pain barrier pacing it up the hills. But you'll never see Paula Radcliffe running the London Marathon in World Record speed with 20kg strapped to her back!
It's easy to pick up weight and carry it with you in your race. Perhaps with responsibility you've taken a weight of fear that says: "If I don't get this done well enough, then things aren't going to good for me." Responsibility is a great thing, and you should never shy away from taking on responsibility, but don't take with it a negative attitude expecting your own failure, it'll only weigh you down! You'll put time, energy and effort into worrying, procrastinating and excuses that would have been better used maximising your opportunity of responsibility!
2. Berry well then
I love to explore! Although I'm a converted city boy, growing up the countryside has left a lasting impression on me and I love to escape out into the unknown and have a roam! Over the Christmas time I went back in the forbidden outback where my parents' live and invited the family dog to join me on an expedition into the Wye Valley. We'd not ventured long until the beaten track was way behind us and nothing but dense overgrowth surrounded us! Every step became a delicate operation to not rip my jacket and I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible!
To run a fast, well paced race, you've got to keep a clear path. Keep you're habits, your thoughts and you're actions in line with what you know is right. Keep to the path of your principles and you'll find that your forward progress will be rewardingly swift and you won't get yourseld all tangled up in situations you won't want to be in!
3. Head up r'kid
In Paula Radcliffe's classic race in the New York Marathon last year, her first race since a prolonged period of time out having had a child, she lead practically from start to finish. In the closing few hundred meters a lady who'd accompanied her at the front for practically the entire distance made a break for the lead. She overtook Paula and for a moment my heart sank thinking, 'Ah she's going to be frustrated again, she's lead the whole way but is now going to finish second!' But before my synapses had finished piecing that thought together Paula had dug deep and with a surge of speed overtaken her opponent, soon she'd left her in her wake, as Paula powered to an incredible victory! In an interview afterwards Paula was asked what was going through her mind during those dramatic closing stages. Paula replied that with every stride she repeated telling her new born child that she loved her.
As Paula focused on who was most important to her, she found a lease of life, a spring in her step and the added factor she needed to ensure that she won her race. In the same way everyone needs a driving factor and purpose driving them and motivating them to run their race well. For me, this person is Jesus. I see in Jesus a role model and a hero who lived the life that I want to live. Looking to Him there's no weight or pressure to have to be like Him. Following Him requires guts and detemination but ultimately my path won't lead into prickly situations and I know I can look to Him whenever I want to and find strength to keep going and finish successfully.
Aidan is a graduate in Civil Engineering from the University of Sheffield, he also heads up the Student Life Team at Hope City Church.