Saturday, August 08, 2009

Don't Tug on Superman's Cape

You know that breeze you're so thankful for on a hot day? The one that breaks up the humidity and makes the heat bearable? Well, you can have it. At least today, that is.

The last 3 or 4 miles of my 8-mile morning ride was straight into a 20 mile-per-hour wind. It totally kicked my butt. My mom was meeting me to go to the farmer's market as soon as I got home, and I seriously considered calling her to come get me on the road. At one point, I stopped pedaling to see what would happen, and the wind pushed me backwards. Seriously.

It got me thinking about how hard life can be when you're fighting the nature of things. Lord knows, if my house had been in the other direction, the wind would have practically carried me home. On the very same road, the forces of nature could work to my advantage or resist me every inch.

So there I was, thinking and pedaling and panting as I crossed a stretch surrounded by open fields. I decided to ride as far as the trees ahead and see if I could manage the rest or should throw in the towel and call Mom. The difference was obvious the moment I reached the trees. The going was still tough, but manageable. "Hello, friends," I called out.

In that instant, the lessons became clear: Go with the flow as often as you can. If you're hitting constant resistance, you may be going the wrong direction.

If you simply must head into the wind (like...if that's the only way to get home), surround yourself with friends who will break the wind and shade you from the sun. The road may still be tough, but you'll manage.

8 comments:

Carrie Wilson Link said...

I'm working on a similar post, about things hitting you in the face, literally, when you ignore the warning signs. There are signs/indicators all over the place pointing the way, but sometimes we cannot/do not see them.

Great post.

kario said...

"Don't spit into the wind.
Don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Jerri."

That'll be stuck in my head for the day, along with your insight.

BONNIE K said...

Good advice. I think your bike riding is wonderful.

fullsoulahead.com said...

Beautiful Jerri.

I love you and your bike.

Jerri said...

You guys are the trees, you know. Beautiful, sheltering, glorious trees.

Nancy said...

I love this post. I love your wisdom. This was the post I was meant to read today...thank you.

Amber said...

Hmmm...I feel this was meant for me. Thank you for being wise and loving. (even if it isn't "for me" lol)

ox :)

Deb Shucka said...

Gorgeous writing as always. The trick of course is to be able to figure out whether riding into the wind is what you're meant to do.