Tag: Mid Life

Regret Is Awesome

Yesterday, as I was adding some tags to the blog post, I typed Regret. That word came to mind because it was the key driver in the decision to ride a bicycle across the country. Or not.

If I didn’t do it before I settled down and started a career somewhere, I knew I would probably never have the chance again.

Job, career, marriage, house, bills, family, kids, responsibilities, worries, challenges, health, cars, vacations, promotions, yada yada.

And so on October 5, 1982, with $75 in my pocket, I left Philadelphia for Washington State.

Regret is awesome.  Otherwise, I would never have left.

Rocky Mountain High

That image of those three bicyclists at 8,000 feet, with the Colorado Rocky Mountains above and below them,  was permanently etched on my brain.

I had just turned 13.  And yet, I was thinking and dreaming as if I were an adult.

Their summit, the Continental Divide, was still potentially a few hours away for them, at 10,000-plus feet elevation.

Our bus would reach the summit in just ten more minutes.

Have you ever dreamed of doing something uncommonly care-free and ultra-adventurous?

Why?

What is that voice inside all of us that speaks to our desire to go on an adventure that is far beyond our present understanding and capabilities?

And wouldn’t it be nice if we could still tap into that now, and make the adventure of being a responsible adult, exciting and even, “fashionable”?

Bring It On

Today.  This morning.  Right now.  Bring it on.

What does that mean? Who am I talking to?

First and foremost, I’m talking to myself.  Journaling is a world-class way to self-awareness.

Self-awareness is the most important step towards self-improvement.

My (life) pace does not lend itself to either.

Which is why I write five blogs every day.

What was once impossible, is now business as usual.