Tomorrow is my birthday. And to celebrate my 28 years old, today I
rode 128 kilometers for almost 5 hours on my bike, alone. Actually, I
had planned to ride more (150 km), but the life experience learned me
that each day has a different limit, and sometimes you have to respect
that.
When you are in a long ride, many situations happen, and
many feelings invade you: laziness, hope, cold, hot, thirsty, hungry,
satisfaction, exhaustion, confusion, happiness… Sometimes all in the
same time. I like to think of that as a metaphor of our lives with its
differents moments: wind, fog, sun, rain, curves, climbs, downs…
I
rode to many roads, far away from everything, far away from the
urban chaos. Out of the city fortress with its silly life and pollution. I can’t explain my great satisfaction of go away and breath
some fresh air and enjoy the green scenario. The nature doesn’t judge
you. That’s why I gave that gift to me.
Those hours alone and far
away, give you much time to think. And in moments like
that I always have many, MANY thoughts (even when I try to stop
thinking, my mind doesn’t give me peace). But, some thoughts make me happy.
One of those reflexions, it’s the ideia of making a
parallel between ride a bike and our lifetime. Because when you are
riding, of course you have as objective ride some kilometers or go to
somewhere. But the finish line it’s not the only thing you care.
However, more important, it’s the way you go there (for example, you
could go by bus or car, but prefer to go by bike, because of the
experience that way will gives to you). And in our lives, sometimes, we
ignore the path and all other things around us and care only about our
final objectives (professional success, money, marriage, children,
house, posses, recognition, books, drugs, sex, luxury, trips…). But, if
we only focus on the objectives, we forget to see the beauty of each moment right here
right now! Therefore, we must enjoy the paths of our lives as in a bike ride! So, slow down,
live each moment and try to absorb every good energy it gives to you.
Don’t wait to enjoy your life only after you reach all your goals. Because can be too late.
So… back to my today’s ride.
As I said, I
was riding alone. But, even when you think you are indeed alone and
don’t need anyone, things happen to make you fall from your selfish.
In
the middle of the ride, I had problems with the bar of my bicycle. So, I
had to stop and adjust some pieces to try to fix it. But I was with
difficulties and almost giving up. Then, a simple man named Claudinei,
appearing 50 years old, stopped his car and went to help me. After some
minutes and tries, we found the problem and solved it together. That’s
can be another metaphor of our lives. Sometimes we need help. And it’s
ok. One day you receive help, another day you give help for your family,
friends, or even to an unkonwn. That’s life. We are not alone, never. So
we should share our experiences, feelings and paths.
