Our trip is essentially over. I felt amazing out biking. I was stunned actually. I pride myself on getting outside, alot. I walk all the time. I seek outdoors activities. This was different.
As I've surfed topics around indoors living vs. outdoors, several trends are occuring: we're living more and more in cities; our living spaces have increased in size, both homes and shopping; we're living alone; we're consuming life digitally in greater quantities.
As I was riding along, I thought about my past life of hyperfocus on my issues, my little pains and inconveniences. I thought about the things I do and have done to create a life, as you would say. My ass hurt while biking. I was hot. I was too tired. I just kept going.
I realized even as I was biking, that I'd be glad when I was done. I knew I would be grateful and would feel rewarded in a way only doing something challenging can produce.
I realize how I fall into the traps of instant satisfaction in way too numerous to count. I worry about how will our society continue to produce brilliant art, thinking and problem-solving when results if you call it that for true brilliance usually takes very hard work over periods of years, sometimes lifetimes. There aren't any Likes or clicks often along the way. You're alone, discouraged, not sure if it's worth going forward.
It seems I need a few practices in my life that reinforce long-term commitment with deeper, meaningful results at the end.
I also however realized I love to think and imagine. I didn't really want to keep riding day after day. It was too much to be seeing new birds and trees and not have time to look at them, identify them and ponder this unique ecosystem. I need time to think and process new stimulus and thoughts especially. That's just me. I'm okay with that and more importantly, don't feel the need to defend that anymore.
Henderson, LA
CHANGES/REFLECTIONS:
- I did hard things and enjoyed it, once it was done. I can keep doing that
- I need to keep being surrounded by creative people and situations
- Travel can be exhilarating and also exhausting