A Gray World
Yesterday morning, just before venturing out on the Vespa into a gray world, I came across a quote by Viktor Frankl.
“The last of human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way.”
The words stuck with me as I pushed the scooter into the driveway.
Choose your own way.
Something was bothering me. Might have been a conversation earlier in the week with Kim’s neurosurgeon, or perhaps puzzling over investment in an index fund or something more aggressive. It may have simply been the threat of rain when I wanted to ride. The idea that I could choose my attitude as I prepared to ride wouldn’t have occurred to me had I not read Frankl’s words.
By the time I was on the road things had changed. Riding didn’t change me but it did open a door, permitted a mental transformation from being awash in anxiety to sailing in a sea of gratitude. It may have been a fake, false, contrived idea in my head, but after a few miles on the Vespa, I was a different man.
I felt the familiar lust for life.
In the Flow
Heavy rain was on the way. A quick dash into town to meet my friend Paul at Saint’s Cafe was all I wanted. The forecast provided a few hours before the heavens were scheduled to open. Riding on gray days is relaxing. Rain, depending on the temperature, is tolerable to a point. I didn’t care. I just wanted to ride a little.
Chose your own way.
Empty World
Where did everyone go?
Sunday mornings are generally quiet. This morning was even more so. Little traffic, empty sidewalks and perhaps four people when I arrived at Saint’s. An empty world. Quiet world. Just the way I like it.
Gratitude.
Chose your own way.
Nice post, Steve. There’s an old blues song titled “Gratitude Is Riches, Complaint Is Poverty” that I think pretty well sums up the best way to approach life in general. Be thankful for what you have, and quit worrying about what you lack.
And choose the index fund… you’ll sleep better at night and probably get a better return too (haha).
I agree with the sentiment you share. Easy to say though hard to do at times.
Index fund it is. At least with this round of investment!
Enjoyed! I try to repeat as needed: Be thankful for all that is, rather than curse that which I perceive is not.
Yep. Being thankful is a gift in itself.
Drinking coffee when it is in the 80″s outside as the sun comes usually adds to the heat. However, drinking coffee while riding with you on a quiet gray day makes me imagine the temperatures are about ten degrees less, thus making the coffee a warming drink, not an overheating drink.
Oh yea, next time I come through I want to see this coffee shop. I have spent so much time there with you I feel I need actually spend some time in it.
I confess a thrill at sitting down to a hot cup of tea after a cold ride. The best temperature for that would be in the 45F to 55F range. Holding a hot cup in cold hands brings a striking awareness to life. For me anyway.
Wish you and Bill could have spent more time here. Lots of things to show — some of the coffee shops a small part of the riding experience.
I’ve been looking over the few pictures I made of you guys. Trying to balance them with a post title like, “Riding Legends” or “Two-Wheeled Superstars.” Probably would be best to tag it something less dramatic and allow the reader to invoke the legend status!
I read ( and enjoy) you this am as I am seeing under grey skies, a boy about 9 years old. My sweetie Steverino calls him the dancer. This little lithe figure waits alone for the school bus with his pack on the ground, and dances, wonderful moves, some jumps, all very wonder filled, to music in his own mind.
Isn’t it amazing the images that can be conjured in imagination with just a little push.
yes, and this young man has chosen his own way….:) Hoping that what ever path Kim is on also has moments of joy as she choses…
Choice is a funny thing. It’s a word yes, but I find understanding what appears to be a choice that’s real (choosing to relax the mind and enjoy god’s scooter riding world) versus a choice that is an illusion, to be helpful. I mention this because in one of my groups a person tosses the word “choice” around all the time and they don’t realize that sometimes what they think is a choice is an illusion. The reason riding a scooter in the forest feels good is because the BS melts away and the real is what remains. But you’ve written about that 100 times. That’s in your wheel house. pdruby
Melting bullshit. I like that. I need to make a T-shirt: Why do I ride? Because it melts the bullshit!
I took the scooter out today in honor of Ride to Work Day. I find my mood varies with the equipment. The scooter is quite peaceful next to the motorcycles so the mood differs. If I’m in the mood for adrenaline I ride the Nighthawk. If I want to become totally involved with controlling a beast I take the 750. In all cases I become aware of my relationship to the road and the world. Just at different levels of thrill.
It’s been a few years now since I’ve ridden a motorcycle. I can see how the mood would vary depending on your goals I suppose. Or if the machine seduces you. I remember riding a Ducati Hypermotard and how often I would feel the urge to just twist the throttle and have the motorcycle leap into motion. The difference from the Vespa was dramatic and the Ducati resisted the manner of riding I usually did. I didn’t have a lot of desire for power and speed. Or perhaps I just didn’t trust myself with it. But I certainly can understand how various motorcycles and scooters will change a mood.
I’ve always admired the Honda 750 Nighthawk. Particularly the yellow one! Ride safe!