Inspiration Archives: Dave Cooke

Over the past few years, every one of us has been through some form of adversity. In fact, many of us have been hit by more than one serious, disruptive challenge. In this "perfect storm" everything that we have come to trust and believe about ourselves and our lives has come under some form of attack.

Whether it is an illness, loss of job, erosion of wealth, divorce, or a death in the family it seems as though the path on our journey has gotten a little more difficult. As we stand here looking into the future, looking for answers, and looking for direction many of us struggle to find passion, energy, and opportunity.

A little over thirty months ago, I discovered the harsh reality of my youngest son's heroin addiction. When I realized how serious my son's addiction was, I committed everything I had to help him find a path to recovery from his dark and painful place.

The impact of this commitment on my life, my health, and my business was significant. Once I noticed the destructive reality of his addiction on my life, I began to focus on gaining control and clarity in my life while establishing some model of hope for his.

It was then I committed to ride my bike for one hour a day for 100 consecutive days. The vision for these bike rides was to get myself to a place where I could be strong for my son when he was present and be even stronger for myself when he was not.

What I accomplished and learned went far beyond the bike rides. I learned the lessons of responsibility, passion, humility and commitment. It is the experiences of my journey that I enthusiastically share with others as they work through their own personal adversities. I correctly anticipated the bike rides would bring control and clarity into my life.

However, it was in the sharing of my experiences and the inspiration I received from others on this journey that I discovered the power of connecting with others. It was in the realization of the collaborative, transformational power of community that my life was truly changed.

Regardless of where your life's journey has taken you, the source of strength for tomorrow resides within you. Whether you realize it or not, you are a gift. Every one of us has been blessed with a unique set of skills and talents and experiences that make us who we are. It is our gifts that make us great and it is in the sharing of our gifts that we can support, guide and inspire others.

The answer to your challenge, issue, or problem is found when you openly and freely share your gifts with others. By making yourself available to others, you make others and their unique gifts available to you. It is from there that the transformation in your life will be discovered and realized.