The art of change

“Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.”

– Confucious

Ever been occupied with change? Not the kind of change that is forced upon you, due to circumstances beyond your influence or illusion of control. I’m talking about the change that you passionately seek, eventually nurture and ultimately embrace. It happens but a few times in our lives and indelibly leaves its mark, shaping the people we are, and aspire to become. Marriage tops my list of major proactive change. A true game-changer, no doubt. Children fit this category as well. Many of the changes over the course of life (including career) may seem monumental. But I would contend they’re only so if we make them such.

What’s this got to do with cycling and bikes? A bit. Consider: Passion fuels the decision to go after something that includes risk (crashes), pain (going beyond threshold) and possibly stigma (catching a horn blast). So then, let’s take it a step further. How you spend your time says much about you. If one day you choose to ride instead of sit for hours on the sofa, you’re telling the world that health and well-being rates high. If you ride to change your eating habits (plus, bonus! — increase your lifespan), congratulations, you’re working on a masterpiece, a true piece of art. If you ride to commute, you’re helping be the environmental change so many want to be.

Just remember the next time you throw your leg over the top tube to generate energy and propel yourself down the road. Change the scenery, change your view. Change the world, change perception. Ride a bike, change yourself.

If I could change the world If I could change the world, we’d smile at least 10 times a day. If I could change the world, every compliment would be genuinely pure. If I could change the world, we’d listen more. If I could change the world, we’d talk less. If I could change the world,...
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