Do stuff you love to do and don’t worry about helmet hair!

It has been literally 3 years since I have been able to ride my bike or commute with it. It has nothing to do with time, coordination, preparedness, vanity about how sweaty I am when I arrive places, or the reality of my schedule.

I wasn’t healthy enough.

For the past few years as I have struggle through learning about Hashimoto and coming out of a deep pit of illness, there has been nothing in the reserve. Figuring out how to manage my Hashimotarian-ness (yes, I make up words…) and pernicious anemia and changing how I eat, rest, what I do, and how I respond to stress in my life has changed everything for the better.

Last year I tried riding my bike somewhere and the whole time my teeth were clenched and I wondered if I was going to make it. I hated every pedal rotation, crack in the asphalt, and stop along the way.

• I remember coming home and wondering why I hated riding my bicycle; I used to love it.

On Tuesday night, I pulled my bike out, cleaned it up, pumped up the tires and rode it to meet my best friend for coffee at the Italian Market. It only took moments to get there and I was so happy to be pedaling along.

Such a cute little Specialized bike! I’ve had it for a long time and it keeps going and going.

The joy of riding surprised me.

My personality has some, ok a lot of, dominance, over achievement, competition, and determination. So when I realized I actually can ride my bike 1 km without gritting my teeth and joy bubbled up while I downshifted my gears, I opted to go 26 km the next day.

• If a little bit is awesome, a lot bit would be stellar, right?

A quick look at the river valley paths and my route was mapped in my head.

I love riding my bike.

Yes, I nearly sweat enough to drown a small cat and I had to walk up the last few feet of an epic hill in the ravine, but I couldn’t have been happier.

Bikeloree! I went way beyond those towers behind me and back and it was glorious….the helmet look, way less glorious! 😉

Being alive is a wondrous thing! If you’re not living, now is the time to start! Do things you love and enjoy the full breadth and depth of them as often as you can.

It adds to the rest of your life and makes you a much better human being.

Yes, I was physically tired yesterday, but my spirit was flying through the clouds. I found myself smiling while I did the dishes, happy to prep my food for tomorrow, and feeling like anything is possible.

Downside?

Epic helmet hair.

If I have to deal with bad hair days to have great days, I am pretty sure I will manage!

What makes you come alive? What is keeping you from doing more of it?