Simple Joys

You have to savor the simple joys in life. If we wait around for the big ones, we'll miss out on a lot of great living to be done, and besides, they're called "once in a lifetime moments" for a reason.

Today's example happened as I was out for an early road ride. It was a crisp late-autumn morning, with moisture still heavy in the air and the ground damp and puddled from last night's rain. Most people were content to grab a warm coffee and get about their day, but I'd opted to get up early for a ride. It was one of those rides that started as a struggle - air cold, fingertips numb, legs feeling dead, and general fatigue dictating a moderate pace, especially during the first few miles which were a slight climb.

5 or 6 miles into the ride, as my body was finally waking and warming, I hit a mild downhill - the kind that's not steep enough to coast, but enough to make you feel like a hero as you spin the pedals effortlessly and are rewarded with easy speed. That woke my mind and elevated my mood enough for me to start grooving on how cool it was to be able to be out there doing what I was doing. I was an urban adventurer, a trash truck toreador, a healthy person with a touch of the daredevil.

As I crossed the 405 freeway and skirted the edge of the wilderness area I saw a long line of commuters staring at the red brake lights ahead of them. I felt a mix of pity for them and jubilation for myself as I easily outpaced the cars' minimal forward progress. With renewed vigor my pace picked up again, enough that I made it back to my neighborhood ahead of schedule, allowing me to log a couple bonus miles and still have time for a leisurely shower and breakfast.

How many others were doing something on this cold, damp morning that gave them as much satisfaction? I hope there were a lot, but in reality I know there were relatively few. While I wish them all the pleasure I felt, I'll admit to that particular satisfaction that comes with knowing that I made the effort to seize the moment and was rewarded well.

It's been a good day.

The Big Questions...

Will I?

Can I?

What can I do with my need to give when I also need so much?

How should I proceed when I am tired of the method but remain optimistic about the outcome?

How much difference do the differences make?

Will this be one of the great "what if" episodes of my life, or just another bend in the road?