Pretty Spring weather has meant several recent rides; some short, an hour or so, and others for 3 hours. Most of the rides have just been typical with relaxing, refocusing, and rejuvenating. No big aha moments or overwhelming thoughts to share. Many thoughts are reruns of those I’ve had on past rides.
It’s been wonderful to see more and more bikers out enjoying the warmer temperatures and feeling that comaradery as we wave, each going our own way but sharing that same freedom of the open road.
I’ve also thought more about how things aren’t always the way they appear. I actually started writing this a few rides ago, but the words weren’t coming together until now. In addition to my motorcyle, I’ve recently purchased a bicycle I’m also riding. On a recent ride on it, I quickly realized the deception about how things can appear. A road that appears to be pretty level and flat on the motorcycle, takes on a whole new look when you start peddling and realize the entire road back home is a gradual incline all the way!
Due to some recent events I’ve realized even more that people are the same way. They can appear to be one way, but then one day something will happen and you realize that’s not necessarily who they are. It may be sudden or gradual but sooner or later it surfaces. The other day I learned something about someone that shocked me and it has affected my thoughts towards them more than I thought it would. This is not a family member, close friend or coworker, just someone whose things I’ve enjoyed reading/watching, a stranger really. I guess that’s why I didn’t expect it to have as much effect as it did. I find I look at things a bit differently since being a grandma and looking at what role models are out there for my granddaughters as they get older. It has me seeing things a little differently I guess.
Also after my ride that same day, I heard that there had been a shooting at a nearby college campus. Events like that really make you wonder about this world we’re living in and make you cherish those you love even more. As the stories emerge we’ve learned that one young man gave his life by trying to take down the shooter, and in so doing gave others time to get out of harm’s way. Two young men with very different intentions and both have changed the lives of their families, friends, and strangers forever. Did the young man bent on harming others look different? Not really based on pictures I’ve seen. As I said, appearances are not always what they seem. Knowing these 2 young men are the same age as my youngest son seems to make it harder to imagine for their families and makes me even more proud of my son for the husband and dad he’s become.
Yesterday while I rode I had to wonder if my gas light not coming on was a deceiving appearance as well. 🙄 I realized I could hear that “empty tank ” sound and when I stopped to fuel up I saw just how empty the tank was! Thank you Lord for getting me to the pumps in time. I need to learn to watch that tripometer better now that warmer weather is here leading to longer rides. My appearance on the side of the road waiting for gas is not something that needs to happen for sure!
On a happier note some appearances are exactly what they seem, joyful reminders of Spring. There have been some beautiful butterflies along the winding country roads, along with multiple breeds of birds adorning the trees, newborn calves frolicking in the fields, and children running, laughing and playing. Those are the appearances I treasure and prefer to focus on.
There is beauty in appearances as well as inner beauty. How we see others is a direct reflection on us, how they truly are in the inside is a reflection on them. Remember a butterfly starts out as an egg, then a caterpillar, then a pupa before emerging as the beauty we see flying around so elegantly. What we see on the outside may or may not be what’s on the inside, and it’s what’s on the inside that matters most. Most of us probably tend to initially judge people and things by how they look or appear, rather than what or who they truly are. In doing so, we may miss out on warning signs we should see, or on true beauty we could miss.
Ramblings of a Christian Grandma Biker 