“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him (I’d add, “and then ride happily along this path”).” David Brinkley
(Artwork by Cindy DeLuz)
He smiled big and gave me a friendly nod as he peddled by on his blue and silver bicycle, then asked, “How are you?”
The scene happened right after two young fellows in a red pickup truck revved up their engine to let the bicycler know he was in their way on the 25-mile-an-hour stretch of two-lane road that lasts only seven blocks. Time the driver of the truck had an open lane, he raced to get around the bicycle
The bicycler, who didn’t seem to notice the passing vehicle, greeted me while I was fuming about the truck driver.
For the rest of my walk, I pondered (my word for 2013) the guy on the bike’s reaction compared to what would have been my typical response if his smile hadn’t caught me off-guard. I would have stared back at the truck with a disapproving look and grumbled the whole way home about not being able to remember the license tag number.
I wondered why the biker didn’t react. I wondered if he lives most of his life the way he rides his bicycle, unaffected by others’ actions.
Do you act or react?
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – I’m making a commitment now to follow the bicycler’s example when dealing with those who travel the same road – I want to practice being less tuned into their actions and, instead, fine-tune my own. Would you like to join us?
For more artwork by Cindy DeLuz, visit http://anartsychick.com.
Thank you Kim. I want to live the same way!!!
I think you do, Tami. You\’re a wonderful example of acting out of kindness.
What might help to not be reactive is knowing \’Its not Personal\”, even when it feels like it is.
That\’s a good one, Roz. I try to keep in mind, \”Don\’t take it personal,\” but practicing this is not my strong suit. I should put a note on my laptop since I need a daily reminder. Thanks.
Kim, this is great. I try to live in a non-reactionary way, but unfortunately, it doesn\’t always pan out that way! Such a good reminder…thanks! Next time I\’m tempted to \’react\’, I\’ll think of your anonymous bicycle friend and count to ten 🙂
Susannah, I try to live that same non-reactionary way, but as you know, it\’s not as easy as it sounds. I hope we both think of my bicycle friend and count to ten – kind of rhymes. Maybe next time, I\’ll repeat that over and over. 😉
A great reminder… I find myself sometimes reacting and then feeling quite bad only at myself …so this little reminder of the \”bicycle man\” might help…
I do the same thing, Marilyn. I hate reacting and would love freedom from this bad habit. I\’m hoping bicycle man helps both of us.
I\’ll come along for that bike ride, Kim!
I\’d love your company, Beth.
Tandem — or two solo bikes, my friend? 😉
Tandem, of course, so we can talk. I promise to pedal my part.
It\’s not worth it to get upset over drivers in such a hurry. Too bad there aren\’t enough bike lanes so the roads could be shared. A totally different perspective to ponder, though, are those darn MOPEDS on the main highways in the pitch black of the night !
Oooooh, I know, Sylvia. Those mopeds are downright dangerous. Maybe that\’s a future blog post. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I know someone that would have fumed forever over it too! I think this was a great post thanks for sharing.
Mmmm, would that \”someone\” be the fellow you married? Maybe he needs to subscribe to my posts. 😉
Oh, thanks for stopping by. I love when family joins the comment section.
Oh, sadly, I react most of the time. Then regret it and vow not to! Then I do it again …
Christi, I react mostly with my husband and, yes, then regret it and vow …
Like Beth J. said, \”I am a major work in progress.\” I will say, though, I seldom write a post unless I\’m making at least a little progress in that area. It\’s too painful to put it out there for everyone to read until I\’ve cleaned up the habit some, so this post is a good sign. And now that I\’ve admitted it and have friends like you to ride bikes with, I think more progress is in sight.
Kim, I want to write the last two lines of your post on my heart. It\’s been a huge struggle for me!! I am repsonsible for my own attitude and actions. It\’s just easier to focus on those individuals inflicting challenges on us than to focus on our responses and attitudes in the midst of the pain, discomfort or inconvenience they cause us. Yes, I will join you on this ride, although from time-to-time I may veer off the path, but I promise to catch up! I am a major work in progress!! Much love, Beth Jarrott
Beth, no worries about catching up. I\’m sure I\’ll be trying to find my way back to the path of action rather than reaction, which, yes, is much easier to travel until it takes its toll, and it always does. At least I\’ll be in good company with my twin, the other \”major work in progress.\” Whew, God has his hands full with us, doesn\’t he? 🙂 Message me anytime you want to go bike riding.
Love and hugs and good actions (most of the time) from here on out ~ Kim
So, it\’s not just NOT saying something ugly – we have to actually give up the glare, too? Hmmm, I\’ll have to really work on that! Thanks for a great visual to go with a great reminder!
Shel, we don\’t have to go cold turkey – could be dangerous to our health. Lol. Thank you for stopping by!