The best things happen in the morning. Yet some days, morning bucks you off like a wild bronco. My philosophy is to embrace it all because the rough rides give life to important lessons.
Every morning I set out either for a walk or bike ride. For me, it’s such a refreshing way to begin the day. Each day is a fresh start, a new beginning.
At the beginning of the past week while riding my bike I took a spill after crossing a bridge. I must have good strong bones — nothing broken. But notable pain, scraped skin, lots of bruising, nerves quite sensitive on my knee and hip, plus damage to the bike. I’d say I got lucky!
The lesson there is that I must realize how my reactions and balance are not what they were when I was younger. It’s time to shift into that reality and ride with more care and attention.
Then a few days ago, it was particularly cold but, I rode my bike anyway and was so generously rewarded.
I didn’t ride far and stayed clear of the bridges in the woods. Every time I head to the beach, a type of subliminal magic comes over me. As cold as it was, when I stopped to take a couple photos, my soul instantly warmed. As I lifted the camera to take the first image, a gentleman walked past and struck up a conversation about the whales he’s seen, asking if I spotted any this morning. After a pleasurable exchange, he walked on with a smile that happened to match the one I too was wearing.
A pair of chubby rabbits were dining in the grasses. A variety of waterfowl were cooing and whispering as they sought their morning morsels. Even a few songbirds could be heard behind me. The gentle lapping of the sea against the smoothed stones had a hypnotic effect, especially in the hush of morning. Dawn had finally opened its window to the coming day.
I heard them calling before I spotted them. A family of geese flying low likely heading to a favourite feeding ground to fatten up for their soon-to-be migration. I always find the geese at this time of year make me melancholy. Even though I find their cry doleful, it’s not a sadness. I simply become contemplative. And so, my mind wanders. I inhale the salty air, my fingers and nose tingling, and hesitate to continue on my bike ride. The day has begun with a string of magical moments.
“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”
Meister Eckhart
I love “some days, morning bucks you off like a wild bronco”! And these photos! Glad you’re okay after your tumble.
Getting back on your bike was justly rewarded!
Glad to hear that you are OK after what sounded like a terrible fall, especially with the damage done to the bike. I hope the pain has subsided. The first photo is a stellar composition with excellent layers, a sky so dynamic (full of energy), and a line of geese that are on the ascent.