I was determined to get a ride in yesterday before today’s 100% chance of rain forecast and I’m so glad I did! Usually I love to ride in the Fall to see the beautiful colors of the changing leaves, as well as the pansies, mums, and the roses that are still in bloom. This Fall has been very different as far as the weather. It seems like we went from summer to winter temperatures over night, not to mention having 2 hurricanes go through.
The view was not the typical Fall view I had hoped for. The leaves this year don’t seem as vibrant with their colors as I recall them being most years. It was of course still a good ride, they all are 😀, it just wasn’t what I was hoping for in that sense.
I noticed how dull the leaves looked on most of the trees, but then every once in a while there would be a lone tree with bright beautiful leaves. What was the difference in that particular tree that it was so beautiful among the others? How was it so vibrant and noticeable while the others were not? Was it the variety or something else that made it different? The storms I’m sure may have had an affect on the colors due to the rain, wind, and/or the changing temperatures. So many factors probably have to be just right for the colors to be vibrant, the trees after all don’t have a choice what they will look like.
People on the other hand do have a choice. The storms in our lives have an affect on us as well, but we can ultimately choose to be “dull” or vibrant. We can allow the storms to beat us down and leave us feeling gloomy, or we can fight back and choose to be lively and spirited in spite of them. We do not have to allow ourselves to ever feel defeated. We can be more like the pansies with their happy little faces shining forward.
Think about that for a minute. When I was growing up being called a pansy was a negative comment and I’ve even heard comments from some about certain bikes being “for pansies “. Looking at that beautiful cheery little flower makes me think of only positive things, it’s all about perspective and choices and going forward if by chance I’m ever referred to as a pansy I’ll take that as a compliment!
On those rides and days when things may not seem spectacular, look a little further, a little deeper inside, and just maybe you’ll see something you missed.
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker 