Starting
I was watching one of my young neighbors attempt to ride a two-wheeler. With his mom in tow behind him, he zig-zagged down the sidewalk in front of me with equal doses of courage and terror. Once he created some momentum, he moved with confidence toward his house. His mother said to me that he was working on his starts. Pretty scary stuff when you are four years old. For that matter, starting new things can be overwhelming for any of us.
We are nearly one month into 2021. New beginnings and fresh starts abound for some of us. Others are working through the norms of our daily routines with the potential of change just around the corner. Whatever the circumstances, starting something new comes with a mixed bag of emotional intensities. If we put ourselves out there, will we find new joy and purpose, or will we get hurt and discouraged? The answer is yes! No matter what we take on, it will have the potential for a whole spectrum of possibilities. However, life is not a spectator’s sport. It is meant to be embraced fully.
Like the little guy down the street, we must put ourselves out there to be able to grow and become. I personally would have missed some wonderful adventures if I had not wrestled with learning to ride my bike. Yes, I skinned some knees and destroyed a few bushes in the initial steps. Likewise, I have had some spectacular crashes throughout the years that were incredibly frightening. However, I have felt the wind on my face as I sped down long hills, I have ventured along country roads, wooded trails, and beautiful creeks, and I have felt a sense of freedom that comes when you ride.
Maybe we are at a crossroads on whether to start something new. It is perfectly normal to struggle with the uncertainties ahead. We can stay with the safety of our training wheels and watch the others ride by, but our hearts call us to take the risk. Yes, it might be shaky in the beginning, but in time, when we find our balance, we can experience meaningful and spectacular adventures on the road. It just requires us to hop on and give it a try.