I felt the gentle breeze on my face and the sun warming my back as I turned my pedals over and over.
I was having one of those pinch me I am so happy moments as I saw my hubby and kids powering along in front of me. All of us confidently weaving our way along the bike tracks near home.
I heard him well before he was upon us, “OVER TO THE LEFT, MOVE OVER KIDS, LEFT, LEFT, MOOOOVE.” Then whoosh as a lycra clad racer zoomed passed me. In that split second I gasped, seeing my son’s handle bars begin to wobble nervously, causing him to drift unexpectedly across the path. The screams of LEFT still bearing down rapidly and thankfully whizzing by without incident.
I felt as wobbly as my son seemed. The yelling was aggressive and unnecessary and had shaken us up. I imagined this rider racing further down the path, assuming the worst and scattering all in his way.
Was he enjoying his bike ride?
Our composure regained we continued to ride along in single file, my son’s handlebars now straight as he relaxed back into his ride.
Then I felt a similar presence behind me, another lycra clad rider bearing down preparing to pass. Nervously protective, since the previous encounter, I began to call out to the kids to move over to the left, even though we already well left. I felt the rider slow down slightly and I glanced across. To my delight and surprise I was met with a huge beaming smile as a calm, gentle voice said “its okay there is plenty of room for us all.” he then nodded to the kids and said hello.
Oh yes he was enjoying his bike ride too.
As I watched him ride off into the distance I considered these two identical situations. Two men out for a Sunday bike ride both with the goal of traveling very fast from A to B.
The first man barreling down the track, aggressively threatening and clearing all in his way. No time to waste on niceties and smiles he was focussed on the destination, not the journey he was on.
The second man determined and setting a quick pace as well. Realistic and prepared for the various obstacles he would encounter on a public track. He was also enjoying his journey, happily engaging with those he saw along the way and arriving at his destination rich with interaction and joy.
I thought of my own journey in life. My determined nature and the times when I too would love to clear my path of obstacles. The times when I am racing to get things done and every interruption leaves me cranky and frustrated.
I realised then that happiness is not sitting there waiting for me at my destination, happiness is to be found all along the journey.
Happiness is there in the interruptions, in the moments when I slow down for the hurdles and embrace the interactions.
As I furiously tapped away on the keyboard, writing this very post, a little person tapped me on the shoulder and said “Mum can I show you something?” Oh how tempting to barrel on through, capturing my valuable thoughts and ideas and yet that would require pushing away this glorious human.
I slowed, I paused and looked her in the eye with a big, crazy smile on my face, “Yes sweetness please come here and show me.”
Oh yes this is going to be a fabulously happy journey.
How do you handle interruptions?
Hi Karen! I’m here from the SITS girl tribe. What a lovely and inspiring post. Sometimes we’re so busy we don’t realize the importance of that interruption. I’m hoping that your post will inspire to STOP when interrupted and pay attention that person (child or adult) and make them feel SPECIAL!!
Christie that is oh so true. i know when I stop and look at my kids they are so delighted and feel very SPECIAL. I am sure my hubbie would feel the same, he is just more practiced at leaving me alone. I will be embracing the interruptions today very consciously.
I find it so hard to find my focus again after the kids interrupt me so it generally makes me upset, thank you for opening my eyes. I need to try and be more patient with them for sure!
Lena I do not handle the kids interruptions well, particularly when I am writing. One day when they are all grown up and gone I will crave it I am sure.
This makes me really think about all of the times that I am on my metaphorical bike (or encounter others who are on their’s) here in NYC. It really is so important to stop and examine how we navigate life. I always one to be the one who stops to interact. Beautiful thoughtful words Karen.
Monica I love hearing you mention NYC, it is on my list of places I most want to visit in the world. I imagine walking down the street with my big cheesy smile soaking it all in and a friendly face like yours smiling back to me.
Karen, once again your posts have encouraged me to examine my deepest feelings and thoughts. It is so easy to lose sense and control of everything around us when we are focused on the goal ahead. At times the destination is all we see. However…the journey is just as important or even more so. I have been trying to be more conscious of the world around me at all times and instead of focusing solely on the road ahead, I am trying to be more present in the here and now. Your posts serve as inspirational beacons, reminding me to stay the course.
Tami your kind comments always fill me back up. Thank you for reading and examining your own path as you do life is such an amazing journey.
I handle my interruptions (MOST of them) exactly like you did, but it took me a long time to get here, and I wish I’d have learned it a lot sooner.
And guess what, I get MORE done this way. I don’t know how, but it’s a fact.
Rosey I love that you get more done, crankiness requires lots of energy. Maybe that is why you get more done.
Great reminder and wonderful illustration. Coming over from SITS and glad to find your blog.
Thanks Jean thrilled you stopped by.
What an amazing insight! You are so right how differently someone can handle the same set of interruptions or obstacles in their lives. It has a lot to do with perception and perspective on how those things may impact them. I have been guilty of the first reaction and at times able to achieve the second as well. I know at times I am so focused on my own goal I neglect to think of those around me…it takes focus and purposed intent to simply pause as you did. Thanks for such a great reminder of how to let happiness be my guide.
Thanks Tiffany, it is easy to become very focussed on our achievements and forget to enjoy and appreciate the moment we are in.