Last December, I wrote this on Facebook.
“Five years or so ago, I saw this bike for sale:
I’ve never been particularly interested in biking of any kind – slowly down a main street or thrillingly up the hilly trails. The last time I biked any real distance was to make it to class on time in college.
But when I saw this bike, I could picture myself riding around town with a sense of serenity. I could feel the breeze against my skin. I could hear the town sounds.
I could feel freedom. Yes, FREEDOM on a vintage-style bike with a bell.
I shall buy a bike and bike around town, I thought.
But I never bought the bike. I haven’t biked at all. I never rode around town. I never did most everything that once struck me as something I really must do…for me.
Today, I thought of this bike. I thought about all the things I never do. I thought about how often I’ve stood in the exact same place on this planet without doing anything differently.
The excuses arrived. This happened. That happened. I don’t have time. I can’t help it. I’m an ACOA with all kinds of things to sort out.
I can’t believe that I fall for my own B.S. day in and day out.
I suck.
Maybe it’s end-of-the-year reflection but today, I didn’t fall for my own B.S. because oh yeah, I am an adult woman living in the United States of America.
I am 100% free.
I can control me and everything about my life.
So why do I not bike?!!
You know that thing that makes you think, “I should do that because it’d be good for me”
Throw away your eloquent BS. Cut the self-created red tape and do it.
I hope you will!”
Sitting on the shore, beside my bike and surrounded by goose poo. What do those birds eat anyway?
My dear sister accepted this post as an elaborate hint and gifted me this amazing bike for Christmas.
And so this thoughtful gift has existed in my garage, as if it doesn’t exist at all, since December 25.
I woke on this Memorial Day and thought of those who’ve given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. I decided I couldn’t wait another minute before riding around town.
So I rode around town – breeze against my skin. I sat by the water. It felt like serenity and freedom mixed together and I wished I’d had jumped on such a bike five years ago when I decided that I would like to have one.
Why didn’t I buy myself the bike?!
Life is too short for simple but powerful regrets like this.
This bike encourages me to do other things that have long been on my list of things that would be good for me.
That one thing you’d love to have/do? Go for it.
Jody Lamb is an author, blogger and adult child of an alcoholic on a journey to create an awesome grownup life. Visit JodyLamb.com. Twitter and Instagram: @JodyMLamb. YouTube: /JodyLamb. Facebook.com/JodyLambAuthor.
