Riding and Life

It’s been a while since I’ve rambled and this rambling is one that’s been coming together over a period of a few weeks, so it’s a little different. It’s not simply thoughts from a single ride, but is instead from several rides.

The more I ride the more I relate it to life in general. To start with we pick out the bike that’s right for us, which is different for everyone. Some like sport bikes, some cruisers, some touring bikes, and others prefer trikes. Sometimes what we look for in a bike changes over time. I started out with a small bike while I was learning, then moved up to a Sportster 1200 but didn’t care for it, and moved on to the Gunner I now have and love. Nobody else can pick the bike that’s just right for us any more than they can pick the spouse/soulmate that’s right for us. It’s a personal decision that we each need to make for ourselves based on what we want and/or need.

This can compare to our jobs as well. We may start out doing one thing then move on, maybe multiple times, until we find the job we finally stick with. Some may never actually get that “dream job”, but I can say I’m blessed to have a job I’m content with and feel like what I do helps make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

The roads we ride are also related to our daily lives. As I ride along I have to choose my next turn. Do I want to travel a possibly higher traffic road where I can just cruise along at a good speed or do I want to adventure on a side road with twists and turns that may offer a more scenic view? The same holds true in life, do we want to just cruise along doing what’s easy and comfortable or do we want to take chances and possibly venture into new things that we may or may not succeed at?

Life and riding in my opinion should be about living, taking some chances, learning new things, and enjoying the views along the way. If I hadn’t taken the chance and learned to ride my own motorcyle, I know for a fact I would not be the same person I am now, just as I wouldn’t be the same person if I hadn’t married my hubby, if I hadn’t accepted the job I currently have, and more importantly if I hadn’t accepted Jesus. All of these decisions have taught me so much! I’ve learned new ways of looking at life, more patience, less worry and stress, and to appreciate even the little things more.

As I’m riding along on the more scenic routes I need to look ahead for safety reasons but I also am blessed to see views I wouldn’t see on the main roads. I find that I am on the lookout for sharp turns, wildlife, things in the road like grass, leaves, and gravel and any number of other possible hazards. Remaining focused is important, but I don’t want to be so focused that I miss out on the beauty surrounding me. I’ve seen gorgeous sunsets, beautiful flowers, amazing wildlife, and the list goes on. In life we should also be sure we’re not so focused on any one thing that it causes us to miss out on the other things that surround us every day. We need to set our eyes on the now, but also need to anticipate and look ahead to what’s next on our journeys.

Unfortunately there have been many days recently when riding has not been possible due to uncooperative weather and illness. This too is just like life, our plans are not always His plans and things can happen to change what we thought we were going to do. After what seemed like an eternity, only a couple of weeks in reality, I was finally able to get in a short ride and it was amazing! It was very short but was oh so worth it. The entrance to my building was finally dry enough to get my bike out, my chest crud had finally broken up enough I could breathe even in the cooler temperatures without being wheezy and coughing, and for an added bonus the sun was actually shining. The winds were blowing a bit but definitely not as bad as winds I’ve ridden in before. I felt very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to get in some much needed wind therapy. Upon my return I told hubby I felt 1000% better. My mind, body, and soul were in need of that ride, even if it wasn’t as long as usual. After that ride it felt as though the cobwebs and craziness in my mind and soul literally had blown away with the wind. I’m sure many of you reading this who also ride can relate. There’s just something about it that can’t be completely explained or understood unless you’ve experienced it.

Then sadly we got more rain and I had to wait before I could ride again. As soon as my building entrance was dry enough once more, a ride was exactly what the Dr. ordered.😀 As I rode along in the beautiful sunshine I was mesmerized by the beauty that surrounded me and felt like I was in another world briefly. Sometimes when we anticipate something we find that once it’s here, it may not be all we had hoped for, yet that is one area where riding and life are very different. Every ride is a good one, even if there are anxious moments due to road conditions, traffic, other drivers, etc.

My latest ride was full of gratification. On occasion if it’s been a little while between rides I will just take a leisurely trip on familiar territory that isn’t challenging at all and soak in the sun and the Lord’s artistry in a laid back way. Although it had been a while again, I decided I was going to go ahead and tackle some specific routes that I knew would require paying extra attention to, areas that at one time caused some hesitance on my part. I now look forward to the challenges and approach them with experience and knowledge that I have acquired over time and miles and a sort of confidence from within. Many times the road less traveled is my preference, both on the bike and in life. I guess I’m most content when I “march to the beat of a different drum.”

Looking back as I’ve been riding and reminiscing I can see that when there was the most turmoil in my life, was when I was doing what I thought was expected by others, not truly what I felt in my heart and mind was right for me. This too is true with riding. We must each ride our own ride within our own limits and not feel pressured to go faster or on roads we are not personally comfortable with. If we allow others to influence our ride, we may take risks we’re just not prepared for. If we allow others to “direct” our lives the same may happen.

To be successful and happy within we must reach deep down into our souls and be totally honest with Him and ourselves. We need to have that connection He longs to have with us and be as one, just like we need to be one with the bike. If we fight against the bike on turns and curves there’s a good chance we will lose our balance. If we fight against what we know He wants from us, our lives will be out of balance. As I write this there are things in life I still want to see and do, but I can’t right now, so I wait.

I also realize that riding is part of what has kept me balanced the past few years, and not being able to ride the usual amount for the past couple of months has caused me to lose some of that balance. It’s when I ride that I take the “me time” I need in order to then be able to give appropriately to others. As I was reading in a book by Priscilla Shirer entitled Awaken, I read the following excerpts; “Quiet time is not an excuse to be lazy but a wise investment for the diligent…By prioritizing rest for ourselves and those we love, we may just rediscover the joy we thought had been lost forever. ”

Again I’m desperately wanting to ride, but the wind gusts are just too strong to do so safely, so I wait. Waiting is not something I’m always very good at, but I must say I’m better at it now than just a few years ago. While I wait, I’m thankful for the beautiful sunshine and wind that will help to dry up some of the mud so that maybe tomorrow I can ride before the next batch of rain arrives. There’s always something to be grateful for.

Today I’m thankful I was able to get my bike out of my building for another ride. Thank you Lord for the drying that took place due to some recent sun and wind! I was enjoying the ride so much I missed turns I was going to make on 3 separate occasions! I eventually found another turn and took a new road that I assumed would eventually get me back headed the right direction. It’s a good thing I do have a pretty decent sense of direction or I might have been totally lost. The new road presented itself with more solar farms than the ones I’d recently shared pictures of and indeed took me back to a familiar area. Detours in life can be revealing as well, if we’re not afraid to take them. Sometimes they can unveil beauty we didn’t know existed.

An added bonus was included today as well. When I got back home my hubby was headed out on the bike for a short trip and invited me along. It doesn’t get any better than that! I am blessed indeed.

I believe I’ve shared my original riding buddy with you before but I’ve been searching for another for quite some time. I finally found it a few weeks ago, got a onesie for it to wear, and my son’s girlfriend printed my requested acronym on it for me: F.R.O.G

So in addition to my little lamb that watches behind me, my FROG travels along on the seat behind me now and had it’s debut ride today. 😀.

For those of you who would like to follow along but aren’t comfortable using your email to do so, I’m looking at starting a Facebook page that will be linked to this blog so it can be read and shared there as well, without you having to sign up through this site. I’ll let you know when I successfully get it up and running, hopefully by the next rambling.

Until next time, I challenge you to reach deep within, take the detour, get some rest, remain balanced and just live every day as if it’s your last, we are not guaranteed tomorrow!! Make the most of each new dawn. Every sunrise is a new beginning.