Comfortable with Uncertainty

I've got three full weeks of riding to work every day under my belt.  I feel like I've undergone a huge shift in my mindset about this.

It's funny.  Not ha-ha funny.  But interesting funny.  I got an email from a friend, Grammarblock blog writer Monika, commenting that I've been quiet lately in my blog/writing.  I realized I'd finally been riding MORE than writing or thinking about riding.  That's a huge shift.  AND....a powerful one for me.

I was noticing something that would happen in my thoughts when it would be late in the evening, about the time I was getting ready for bed, getting the next day's lunch ready, etc.  That is when I was always deciding on whether to ride the next day or not.  So many times, countless times, my thoughts would go to a safe kind of thought.  The thought would be something like, "I've already ridden twice this week, I should rest tomorrow."  Boom.  Instant nail in the coffin for riding the next day.

Something shifted though a few weeks ago when I started to allow myself to hear that little thought in the back of my mind that was saying...."what would it be like to ride all five days.  I bet you'd feel great about that, and I bet you're physically ready for it."

Physically I have been ready for it.  It was mostly all in my head, so to speak.  I have been a bit more tired in the evening, but then, I sleep more soundly.  Good deal on that.

The title of this posting, COMFORTABLE WITH UNCERTAINTY, is the title of a book by Pema Chödrön, who I've written about before and provided some links for her talks, teachings.  The first line in Chapter 32 is:  There are three habitual methods that human beings use for relating to troubling habits such as laziness, anger, or self-pity.  I call these the three futile strategies- the strategies of attacking, indulging, and ignoring.  


She goes on to say a few paragraphs on:  The mind-training practices of the warrior present a fourth alternative, the alternative of an enlightened strategy.  Try fully experiencing whatever you've been resisting- without exiting in your habitual ways.  Become inquisitive about your habits.  


Become inquisitive about your habits.  So true.  

Important tip for bike commuting

GET ALL OF YOUR STUFF, CLOTHES, FOOD, ETC. READY THE NIGHT BEFORE.

That's my tip.  I had that reinforced big time this morning.  I didn't get enough sleep at all last night.  Waking up and already having my lunch made, fruit cut up, and clothes ready made all the difference, mentally, in my riding today.

And wow o wow was it a beautiful ride to work.  Leisurely, enjoying the sunrise, warmer morning. 

Two days riding this week.  My goal is three days...Friday being the third.  Feeling good.

Broken Spokes...

That sounds like a really cool band name...Broken Spokes...Almost as cool as the band name Dysphagia that my co-workers and I talk about starting....hahaha....(complete joke that has taken on a very lively life of its own now after a year of talk, etc...)

So....yesterday morning on the way to work, going down Texas St,.....I got to the bottom, and was just turning onto CDR South, and I heard a loud POP!  I am new to biking, bike commuting, and car free goings about.....but I knew that POP was bad....I actually have discovered that I prefer going UP Texas instead of DOWN Texas...can't believe I just said that, but it's true, and that's an entirely different blog entry....

I couldn't see the broken spokes, but could tell easily that the wheel was warbly.  (my new favorite word, even though apparently my usage is wrong here according to numerous sites I just checked...ack!)

Anyway....I got a ride to work (thanks Christy!!!) and a ride home (thanks Chad!!!).  The whole reason for this post is that, I was not only car-free but also bike-less for the rest of the day....but I wasn't all wigged out about it.  I knew it was still the right thing to be doing, it would all work out...and before long I'll have a nice new bike to enjoy.  Pretty cool to feel that.

And on top of all that...I ended up getting a new rear wheel..done on the spot while I waited, when I took it to Velo Cult in South Park.  Awesome place by the way,  that I discovered by chance....when I was actually on my way to the coffee shop around the corner...before I had any intention at all of giving up my car and riding everywhere.

Another good day.  ;o)

Selling the car

Meeting today with the potential car buyer for my old Buick Regal.  Mabel as I call it....that was the name my Dad always used when he didn't know a woman's name....always makes me smile to call the car that.

I've been commuting to work since August 21st....two days a week, then three, now up to four.  This coming week is first week for five days.  Amid various set backs with the bike....rear tire exploding on the way to work one day, brake cable breaking and almost crashing into a car (albeit at about 1 mph, still scary), and then another big car repair...I feel good about selling it and going car free.  Nervous, but good.

Great quote from Pema Chödrön:
FEAR IS A NATURAL REACTION TO MOVING CLOSER TO THE TRUTH. 
If you don't know her, check out some of her books, lectures....WHEN THINGS FALL APART is a great one to start with....