Why Not?

Today was a beautiful sunny day but the afternoon brought some gusty winds with it. I debated whether or not I was going to ride, but the longer I brushed and played with my dog, the more I heard other bikers out enjoying the sun. Yep you guessed it, I decided to ride anyway and I’m so glad I did! Once I got riding the winds were actually calmer than I expected and definitely not as strong as when I rode a few days ago. It turned out to be one of those rides I didn’t want to end. Sometimes I just have to say why not and go. Last week I called my mom to let her know hubby and I were headed to the beach and she asked, “Why?”, my immediate response without even thinking was, “Why not?” It seems the older I get, the more often that’s my response. I’ve learned life is short and when an opportunity presents itself, you need to seize it!

I used to be the practical and cautious one that carefully thought everything through before making decisions and often would find reasons not to do something. I think age and learning to ride my own bike have changed that. Riding has given me a new perspective on life it seems. It’s helped to build confidence in my abilities to do new things and to really live each day as it comes. I honestly never saw myself riding a bike of my own, until I actually did it. I was fearful and full of doubt when I began but I am grateful for a supportive hubby who encouraged me to stick with it.

The past few rides have allowed me time to see new life appearing as pansies and daffodils show off their pretty spring colors and as many trees have started to bud and flower as well. Spring is full of signs of new life after the deadness of winter. Much as the earth goes through changing seasons, our lives seems to as well.

We have infancy, childhood, teen years, adulthood and then the retirement and aging years. Within each stage of life we go through seasons of change if you stop and think about it. Reflect on your life from now back to when you were a child and you can probably relate to what I’m saying. Those of us into adulthood I’m sure have had our struggles and our victories, our vibrant times and those that seemed dark, our carefree days and our stressful times, our mountains and our valleys, our storms and our rainbows. It’s all what makes us who we are. No two of us are the same and that’s the way it’s intended to be. We’re meant to have differing opinions, talents, gifts and interests. What a boring world this would be if we were all the same!

Is there something you’ve been wanting do but haven’t? Why not? Think about it; are you allowing others to decide for you or to question/challenge your decisions? We are each ultimately responsible for ourselves. We can allow others to influence us in a positive way or a negative way. The choice, however, is ours in the end. We were all given the freedom of choice and we must follow our heart and minds. Your conscience is your own. If what you want to do can be done with a clear conscience, harms nobody else and gives you peace, I say do it, or at least try. Consider what you have to lose by not trying vs. what you may gain by trying.

Life is a journey and I personally want to see and experience as much as I can while I’m here. I know my final destination, but I want to enjoy the ride until that day comes. The Lord could take me tomorrow or 50 years from now, well maybe not that long 😂, but I want to live it while I’m still able. I love the quote, “Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, but sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself.” This is very true for me and I’m glad that in the middle of nowhere I found myself. If you haven’t yet found yourself and your passion, don’t give up. Keep on trying and keep asking, why not?!

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.