Wonderful outcomes are as likely as tragic ones.  So why not escape over thinking and mental paralysis by living what is instead of with should.

Me & the Mrs. took part in the Head for the Hills bike rally this past weekend.  It felt great to wake-up and drive 10 mins to roll-out.  This by far has always been one of the best rides in N Texas, although someone was asleep at the wheel this year.  There was a downpour the night before the ride and Viv was like “hell no” I’m not riding if it’s raining.

Short version: it did not rain at the start, sour note: it rained in the middle, funny moment: Viv on a bike soaking wet.  The rain was insane, but not the “damn, james” moment of the day.  We basically ate up 8 miles and 20 min when the volunteers pointed the lead group in the wrong direction…the entire peloton got screwed and the confusion that ensued was like a scene out of a movie…hundreds of people stopped pulling out maps.  The rain came some 2 hours later.

Oh, I forgot to mention, i almost crashed on rain-soaked roads, (I’ll save it for another day).  Head for the Hills reminded me that the amazing thing about living is that every second is special for its own reason.  It’s so easy to fast forward life and arbitrarily assign value to something or someone instead of simply appreciating what’s special about the experience.   I had fun riding in the rain.  It took me back to my childhood when each day centered around simple and innocent fun.

I’ve discovered that it’s the act of getting from one side of the river bank to the other that motivates you to survive.  It’s nice to say I’ll figure it out, but you can’t get to step 2 until you attempt step 1.
I once heard that real mindfulness is attention to…a respectful awareness of…it’s crafting the ability to not judge, like, or hate.  As crazy as it sounds, you simply roll, which is what we did at Head for the Hills.  Why judge the start, weather, or distance when the gift came wrapped in freedom. A lil’ shower, a lil’ lost, a lil’ isolation, a lil’ fellowship…and a damn good day!