2 years ago we bought my son a bike for his birthday. As a very active and athletic child we honestly thought that he would just hop on the bike and after a few wobbles be riding circles around us...not the case. After several attempts we decided to add training wheels and that seemed to work for a bit until we he had a few 'wipe-outs'. Eventually, the bike ended up spending more time in the garage then on the trail.
While we were on one of our attempted family bike rides and just waiting for the next fall off the bike that would invariably result in tears and one of us walking the bike home, I noticed on the bike path that there were bridges. As I car driver I find that I take bridges, overpasses and tunnels as a matter of course - they are there to help us get from point A to point B but I don't often think to measure or count them as milestones or even points of interest. However, if you've ever driven with a 5 year old you'll realize that this is NOT the case for them at all. Bridges and tunnels are celebrated with gusto and we now find ourselves holding our breath and holding up our feet every time we go over or through one! :)
So, I decided that we would count the bridges along the Coastal bike path between our house and the end of the trail many miles away. Some were large and very noticeable and others were small and barely visible amidst the brush alongside a creek but nonetheless, they were bridges and when I pointed them out my son started to take notice. As we began our bike rides I would ask 'How many bridges do we want to do today?' or 'What kind of a 'bridge-day' does it feel like today?'
We began to chart and define our bike rides by the number of bridges vs. how much time, how many miles, how much effort, etc. It was now either a "3 bridge ride" or a "5 bridge day" and we now had a new focus...and a new mindset. 'Coincidentally' :) the wipe-outs became fewer and the rides became much more enjoyable. It was something to be looked forward to vs. something we 'had to do' and/or dreaded. We didn't know how many bridges there were out there but as my son started to acknowledged and celebrated his bridge 'milestone' achievements we began to talk idly and 'dream' about Bridge #12 (which we had never been to but assumed that it must be out there somewhere).
Additionally, ('coincidentally') we started to discover new and interesting things along our journey. Over the weeks and months the rides our destination (Bridge 12) actually seemed to pull us along towards it...kind of like riding downhill. We eventually let go of the resistance altogether and found the joy as Bridge 12 showed us the way and seemed to get us back on the trail 'just in time' to witness and experience some things that had previously never seen before...
One day there was a man playing piano along the trail...
...we found 'our' horses and finally learned their names...
...watched fisherman clean their catch...
...got to throw some rocks...
... found a giant Medicine Wheel...
...and even got to ride in the waves!
All because we imagined a Bridge, let go a bit and persevered until we found it.
I know that you know where I'm going with this...so I don't think I need to spell it out. :) However, my question for today is simply:
"If you're not currently enjoying the 'ride' and discovering new & exciting things along the way...have you considered imagining your 'Bridge 12'?"
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
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