Make Someone's Day Special

This past weekend, I took my first two real motorcycle rides.  It's a bit daunting to be on the road, practicing downshifting, upshifting, braking...all on two wheels, going fairly fast and in traffic.  I was originally planning on going with just two other riders - one to ride in front of me and the other to take the back.  Well, before I knew it, there were two more riders who wanted to join along on the virgin ride.  It made me more nervous to think I might not brake quickly enough and smash into one of them.  Off we went up and down country roads, through curves and swerves, stop signs, lights...you name it.  All my riding companions went slow enough for my comfort level, but fast enough so I had to ride well enough to keep up the pace.  Every time we needed to stop for a light or stop sign, I was always asked 'are you ok?', 'do you want to keep moving'?  Their concern and camraderie was pretty amazing and touching.  The next day, I went out again with just one female rider who watched my back...it was up to me to learn the roads ahead, read and negociate the signs on the road and take on the swerves and curves.  By the end of the day, I was riding down the road, doing 55mph, experiencing all the different types of maneouvers I was taught in motorcycle safety school; the wind in my face and blowing bubbles from the bubble gum she gave me.  And there she was, riding at my back so no other vehicles would come close to me.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  You are blessed if you have comrades to help you through the daunting times of your life.  Embrace these people and appreciate them.  Then, when you are presented with an opportunity to help someone else, do it!  Remember, there was someone there for you!
A special thank you to all those wonderful riders who made my virgin rides memorable fun experiences I will take with me to a very old age.

Digging Dirt and Riding a Motorcycle

Just for fun today...I had the opportunity this weekend to help out some friends who needed work done in their dealership parking lot.  About 30ft by 4ft of years of accumulated dirt, vines, weeds and shrubs needed to be removed, so clients could park their motorcycles.  I volunteered to take on the task; I've had plenty of life experience weilding a shovel and spade and chopper; I haven't done this type of work in over 20 years and figured 'what the heck'?  After a few hours of chopping digging, sweeping and hauling dirt into a dumpster, I thought I'd take a break and take my virgin ride on my Buell Blast (500cc - just enough for me).  Having just obtained my motorcycle license a week ago, I practiced figure-8's over and over and over again in the parking lot until I was tired.  I then went back to my shovelling project.  Then, I polished the bike a little bit.  I did this seesaw of exercises all day long.  What I found out was this:  after a completely different activity, getting back onto the bike made the figure 8's easier and smoother.  Going back to my digging project gave me food for thought as I cleared more and more of the parking lot.  Polishing the bike was like prayer...silent meditative work.  At the end of the day, I felt great both physically and mentally...and slept great!  So...what's the point? 
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Diversify your activities; do something different every day.  This will help you think out of the box and revisit a task or activity with a fresh mind and attitude.  Next week, I know I'm ready for some side streets on the bike.  I've got about 12ft more to go in the parking lot.  I'm going to detail the bike.  Then, I'm going to think about expanding my herbal garden this year and practice riding so that I can take the bike up to the farmer's market and poke around a bit.