After a tough week last week, the weekend allowed me to refocus and get centered again.  Balance is hard sometimes!  Albert Einstein once wrote, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”  So much truth!

I have kept moving.

Monday evening, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.  I joined a group of women on a bike ride.  I have never ridden with them.  I usually ride solo, so a “group ride” was new for me.  I did not know anyone else there, and there were about 30 women who gathered at the starting spot.  We were broken into smaller groups by level of ability… or at least what we perceived as our level!  Given I reported it as my “first ride” of the season, it was contemplated I would be in the starting group.  After a bit more discussion, and my level of fitness, the group leader decided to “move me up”. 

Ready… Set… GO!

I was a bit nervous, but a few minutes out on the bike shook away the jitters and I was smiling.  The group was fun.  It was not a competitive ride.  Everyone stopped every so often to allow the rest of the group to reconvene.  We used hand signals and shouted out alerts of on-coming traffic.  Most importantly, we laughed.  Our loop took us less than two hours, which was plenty of saddle-time for me to start. 

The weather was perfect for a ride… sunny with a slight breeze.  My legs were a bit tired, but the ride was not so hard that I could not finish.  I kept shifting gears up or down to keep up a comfortable spin of the pedals.  I just kept moving.  Thankfully, there were no giant hills… this time!

When we got back to the parking area, we snapped a group photo and discussed the next opportunity to ride together.  More smiles… more laughter.  What a great evening!  I drove home sweaty, tired, and happy.

I am glad I made a decision to move outside of my comfort zone.  I am glad I “shifted gears” and seized the opportunity to meet new people doing something fun.  I know my body needs movement, and riding a bike is a fantastic way for me to do just that.  Did I mention that it is fun?  It is!

There are times in life where it is hard to move.  Sometimes it hurts.  Sometimes it is scary.  Sometimes it is easier to just stay “stuck”.  For me, I try to dig deep into the sense of knowing that I WILL feel better if I push past all of that and find a way to move.  It does not have to be a long bike ride.  It can be as simple as a walk in the yard… with Jaxon, of course.

Balance. 

As I move through my day today, I am focused on being grateful for the goodness in my life.  I am thankful for my Mum, and her spaghetti sauce.  I am thrilled I was able to attend Sophia’s dance recital and Katie’s choir concert.  I am grateful for medical care being provided to people I love.  I am so thankful for my friends.  I love you all.

It is a new day and I am happy to be part of it. 

I will keep riding my bike.

I will keep moving!