The flat tires of life.
Red Pony not well. Grandpa White Feather headed out on faithful horse for a pleasant ride to rent movie. 35 minutes later we arrive at Family Video and all is well, I thought. Red Pony is not one to complain.
However, I’m less than half way home when I notice faithful horse riding odd. The rear end felt unsteady. I glance down and the tire is obviously half flat, and on way to full flat!
I stop Red Pony and check the hoof. It’s bad. Horse throwing shoe. But to make matters worse, if I walk the rest of the trip, it will take a good hour, and then that puts me way late on starting the movie and late getting to bed. Not something I really wanted. So I decided to hop on and ride fast!
“Ride like the wind, Red Pony!”
At almost 64 I really enjoy riding the bike in an easy going manner. I simply don’t push it anymore. But now I was standing on the peddles and completely avoiding the seat, because it put more weight on rear tire. I was leaning forward and throwing as much weight on the front as possible. I would peddle very hard and fast and then coast a bit, then peddle hard and fast again. Repeat, repeat. Before long my upper legs felt like wet spaghetti, my heart was pounding hard, and my lungs stretching as I gasped for air. Oh how the flat tires of life challenge us.
It turned out to be a great workout. I made it home and enjoyed the movie, but my legs felt lifeless the next day and my energy level was low. I blamed Red Pony and told him never do that again.
But we are enjoying our local bike rides as we dream about riding in places I never been. My Adventure Savings was up to $135.00, but Red Pony needed a few things and $65 later, it had shrunk to $70. But my dish washing check comes in soon and we hope to climb again. We have a long ways to go. It’s all part of the fun.
You might notice a new tube in these items. Red Pony will ride again!
Every dream has its challenges or it wouldn’t be a dream, because you likely would have already done it. I hear people speak of the benefits of the “Attitude of Gratitude”, and that is so true. And I like my gratitude to have a direction. Perhaps it is a person I need to appreciate, but in every case there is also GOD.
As I got home that day, I had to thank God I could still ride like the wind and enjoy it. I recovered quickly and felt fine after a day of rest. Some people don’t believe in God. Others simply forget to thank Him for all his blessings. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. We take Him granted as we rush through our hectic days of pursuing our goals. Perhaps taking a moment right now, to appreciate the Giver of Life might be a good practice of gratitude.
I hope all our goals have true meaning. In my simple ways, I feel I live in a world full of people who have a lot of passion and purpose, but many times their passion and purpose is directed towards meaningless things. This is very sad. They are destined to realize one day, they have poured so much time, energy, desire, and money into things that leave them empty. I encourage one and all to consult God for advice in the choosing of your treasures. Believe you are more than flesh and blood, but also spirit and soul, and there is a God in heaven who longs to know and spend time with His children. Amen.
Listening to the wisdom of the Willow Tree. Thanks for stopping in.
Sitting under the Willow Tree 