Great Works Are Performed Not By Strength, But By Perseverance ....3/19/12

       Good evening everyone,
Did you have a good Monday? Today was my day off.
 
      Sunday, on my bicycle, I rode twelve miles----one way, through two-and-a-half towns----to meet with friends. It was cold and windy, but it wasn't raining, so I went for it.

      I walked into the place where my friends met, dressed differently than usual.  Wearing running shoes, ripped jeans, my windbreaker and vest seemed to be more sensible garb for today's adventure. No way would I wear a lycra biking outfit. Forget
that idea.

     While sitting down and listening to others, my water bottle was my best friend. Funny, how something as simple as water can be deeply appreciated, given the right circumstances.  No one said anything about the wind-whipped hair or the multiple layers of clothing worn by the innkeeper.
   
     Three of us continued our visit on a bench, after everyone else left.  I admire seeing others grappling with life-long habits, seriously trying to overcome them. That was the case with these two women. Their honesty about taking steps in prevailing over their controlling tendencies inspired me. There's hope for mankind.

     After our visit as a threesome, I continued visiting with one of them.  We went to Cafe Sorriso.  She wanted to know how to post in this place. I helped her while wolfing down a pastrami sandwich and downing a glass of water.

     The best part of our time at the cafe was getting to know her better. Her honesty and desire to stay present when challenged by life was impressive. She's dealing with stress. But she's doesn't complain nor allow her circumstances to get her down.
   
      She has inherited physical ailments, but she's learning alternatives that help her overcome a stress-induced physical condition that doctors told her could only be solved by medicine. More importantly, her joy, serenity and perspective have improved. She does not have a victim mentality. Good for her. May her tribe increase!

      When we face problems:

[T]here is work to be done, new ideas to be learned, and for that to happen the problems of yesterday and fears for tomorrow must be put out of the way. 

[Life] is not a sounding board for continually revisiting our miseries, but a way to learn how to detach ourselves from them......

The more I immerse myself in [healthy] teachings, the more I will get from them and the more I can help others. One Day at a Time, 81

************************************* 

      On the way back to the island city of Alameda, where I live, I rode into head winds. Pedaling as fast as I could, I felt like a hamster running in a work wheel, going nowhere. Working my legs, furiously, I went half my normal speed. Now I know how a kite feels.  (This morning, I was surprised my legs felt terrific.)

     Coming home, I improvised, using a different, but windy route. It was four miles shorter than my trip to San Leandro. I know this because I have a computerized cyclometer on my bike: it measures distance by the tenth of a mile, in addition to recording speed and time elapsed. I was able to measure my progress, or in this case, my lack of it.

     On the other hand, it was progress, when I pedaled into the wind. Yes, I raced into the wind at a slower speed. However, just like the friend I visited at Cafe Sorriso, I pushed on, not giving up, even though I was slowed down by an intense wind, pressing against my bike and body. I was mindful that:

"Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance."

      Getting home wasn't a great work, but it was an accomplishment: riding twenty miles Sunday was the farthest I've ridden a bike in more than thirty-five years, so that was something.
.
      I was not hard on myself after discovering I went four miles further than I needed, to get to my destination, yesterday. I've learned to be gentle towards myself. (How about you?)

     I considered my journey on Sunday as  part of my learning curve.  I'm discovering how to get around this part of the Bay Area. I'm also thankful for the shorter ride home.

Gratitudes for Monday: 
1.  I rested well Sunday night. Going to bed early was a must: I was pooped. I went to bed at 8:30 p.m.. Can you imagine that?
2. My legs feel fine this morning after riding my bike for thirty-two miles over the weekend. I went way farther than I dreamed I would this week. I realize that may not be much for some of you, but it was plenty for me.
3. My guess is that I'll see progress as a cyclist as the year continues. My real passion is running.  Churning my legs on a mountain bike is a prelude to hitting the pavement with running shoes.
4. I got the lock for my bike fixed. One of the friends I saw on Sunday fixed it for me.
5. My car needs repair. Yes, I'm thankful for this problem/opportunity. It's calmed my life. It's motivated me to use my bicycle. As a result:
     a. I'm discovering my new hometown at a leisurely pace: on foot and with a bike.
     b. I'm contributing to my health
     c. I'm reducing my stress, getting it out through exercise I'd miss, if I used my car.
     d. I'm staying home more which allows me to read and rest more than I usually do.
6. I enjoyed my time visiting with a new friend Friday. Tomorrow, I'll give her a call. (Ed. note: I did give her a call. We're going to see a movie.)

Other Related Posts: 

Going Beyond Disappointment

Going Beyond Disappointment, Part II

Happiness Is a Choice

Happiness Is a Choice, Part II

Support During a Difficult Time