Cyclist's Ramblings...

Cyclist’s Ramblings………..Cycling allows me to view Nature at a much slower pace than driving in a vehicle.  I listen & see the brooks, streams, creeks and ditch water rushing or trickling along.  The charging water hits the rocks being tossed, tumbled and thrown side to side or even tossed in the air.  This symbolic site make me thing of the person who is always in a hurry……….can’t imagine how bruised their spirit is.  I look to find the symbols from Nature and life events, so the ditch water provided me with many symbols this morning.  Looking at the water running over or under or beside the garbage that lies in the ditch made me thing of the stuff in my mind….fear, resentment, anger and so on.  As water cleanse our body so too can the gentle sound of the water remind me to let go. Then there are the gentle streams that flow, sometimes just a trickle but moving along with the flow of Life.
 Are you the rushing brook or stream or gentle flowing creek or is the ditch water a symbol that speaks to you?

Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. –

 

You are ready!

Think about it.

 You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward.

So embrace the opportunities that come your way,

 and accept the challenges –

 they’re gifts that will help you to grow.

 

quote is from the site below

http://themindunleashed.org/2014/07/30-things-start-4-absolutely-vital.html

 

 

Is there a path to follow?

This morning I emailed my friend her daily encouraging words but wanted to add a photo.  This photo was taken while hiking in the fall and seemed to fit with the words.
Can you take an idea from chaos, which is sometimes our chattering mind, to  make it become reality ? 
Can you take a chance to walk through the brush, high grasses, wet spots, climb over the trees and stand tall to continue towards your dream, your idea, your plan, your wish?
Looking ahead, the forest appears to thicken.  Is that looking into the future and forgetting about your ideas?  Is that a road block?
Is there a clearing on the other side of the forest?
So many questions with so few answers but isn't that what taking a chance is all about.
Go for!

Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. –

In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance;

it’s about taking a chance.

You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.

Most of the time you just have to go for it!

And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be.

Either you succeed or you learn something.

Win-Win.

 

quote is taken from the address below

http://themindunleashed.org/2014/07/30-things-start-4-absolutely-vital.html

 

 

Start enjoying the things you already have. –

 

I have a friend who is struggling with life questions like we all do and I am always amazed at the books, people, quotes and so forth fall into my hands when needed.  The following quote and 29 more of them came across my computer from this site........

http://themindunleashed.org/2014/07/30-things-start-4-absolutely-vital.html

So each morning I send my friend a quote from the above site and usually a photo (I'm a very visual person).  Today I wanted to share this quote - read the last line- to me that states it all.

That is my art above as the morning sun filters into the room.

 

 

The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc.

Unfortunately, it takes a while before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now.

So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.

 

 

 

Cyclist’s Ramblings………..I had lunch with my grandchildren (elementary age) at their school in the cafeteria.  Just imagine this scene………all is quiet in the cafeteria then a herd of children come stampeding down the stairs seeking freedom from quietness and stillness of a classroom.  The noise level was extremely high, the colours of their clothing blended to become a muted gray as they pushed and jostled their way to the cafeteria line or headed for the special table of friends.  It made me smile.  I enjoyed BEING my grandchildren for a short span of time.  A teacher came over and complemented me on being a good grandmother to take time to have lunch with my grandchildren. 

 

 I had cycled to the school so I could continue on way after spending time with them so I could absorb Nature’s sunshine as well as  the not so gentle breeze, the fresh smells and the landscapes of colour and texture. As I cycled, I realized it was embarrassment that I felt over the compliment.  Gazing around, as I cycled, seeing the water in the ditches is now a frozen milky white with dark gray patches peeking out along the edges. Thinking it would be so much fun to drive the bicycle through that ice to watch it break…….remember as we did as children.  The soil is preparing for the season of winter as the leaves construct patterns on the still green grass.

 

Nature presents us with many gifts….that breeze ---the sunshine ---the array of colours, textures and designs—the clouds---the sounds of birds---the leaves tap dancing down the street---bits of snow still sticking around like the oak leaves. 

 

 Open the door, step out into Nature to breathe the fresh air, to use your eyes to pick out colours and patterns, to hear the sound and smells of fall/winter.  Nature is a gift from the Divine to you……..so enjoy that gift.  People present us with many gifts, like the compliment, accept. 

 

Are you aware of all the gifts you may receive in a day whether it is Nature or humans? 

 

Cyclist’s Ramblings……………….Shabbat……a joyful day of rest.  Shabbat is a Hebrew word used by the Jewish community to announce a special day of rest and spiritual enrichment.  The Christian word is Sabbath.  Why do I mention these words?  Simple………I forget to take a day of rest from cycling, from my life’s activities and all the other concerns of the week.  It is easy to forget to slow down and breathe. It is easy for me to keep cycling especially when the weather as well as the roads are clear.  It is very easy to DO….DO…and DO some more.  This morning as I cycled in the park, I realized how tired my body is and that means my mind and spirit………as mind/body/spirit are one package all wrapped up with beautiful unique patterns and tied with a special bow.  Is this package ever closed?  Is the mind/body/spirit always thinking, performing, searching instead of resting, reading, relaxing, being aware of breath, allowing the muscles to rest/heal, and to BE.   I stopped this morning by the water……….what did I hear……..NOTHING.  Not the sound of a vehicle, not the sound of a person, not the sound of birds or wind or water lapping against the sure……….I heard Stillness. Peace. Calm. Quiet.  The many things I saw didn’t register as Silence reigned Supreme.  Do you observe a Shabbat/Sabbath – a joyful day of rest?  A Joyful day of rest doesn’t mean it has to be a Sunday……..maybe Wednesday works better for you.  Do you take at least an hour out of your week or day to BE…….to experience calm, stillness and/or quiet?

 Enjoy this Blessed Day.

Cyclist Ramblings regarding Joy..................

 

Cyclist’s Ramblings………..”May all creation dance for joy within you.  All you want to do today is love being alive—even if it’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done.  Appreciate the sounds, sights and sensations of your life:  friends, books, ideas, sleep….just enjoy.”  Caroline Myss, Healing Cards—a daily practice for maintaining spiritual balance

Just about every day I choose a card from the deck.  Some cards speak loud & clear while other cards are something to read.  This card spoke to me.  As I cycle –I dance for joy as my feet pedal and sometimes my breathing is even or shallow but a joy to have breath.  However, in the midst of all the pedaling is my awareness of the blessings in my life, being able to pedal along the St. John River & Nackawic Stream watching as the personality of the water changes daily.  This morning the water was calm (like I felt), no mist (my mind was clear), and the water was slowly drifting along.  There is the joy of greeting others as I pass by.  There is the joy of sight being able to view all the colours, textures along my cycling path, as well as noticing that the brooks are dry.  Oh, I can’t forget the smell of the barnyards!  Sights, sounds, and smells are all around me all day every day but it is only when I cycle that I am really aware of my surroundings.  Too bad I didn’t take more time each day to be present with the joy of life.  Hope you dance for joy this day.

Our lives can really be compared to nature.