Always an Adventure

JUST BREATHE BY AVALANCHE

COMING HOME FROM A DOCTOR’S

APPOINTMENT, rolling down the highway, I realized my riding technique was poor. A lack of focus ahead, jerky turns and drifting within the lane put my lack of mindfulness on display. A few deep breaths and a focused gaze forward helped put me back in the moment. Planted on the saddle, I became conscious of the wind, engine sound and vibration, speed and road surface. The motorcycle sent lots of instant feedback about my place and trajectory in the world, all I had to do was pay attention. The flat ranch country just outside town gave way to a narrow canyon, where the sight lines were much shorter and a natural funnel for one’s attention. Little traffic was moving, though more than one approaching vehicle wandered into my lane, indicating that a lack of attentiveness was a common affliction today. Paying attention yielded dividends, as the weight of much mental clutter fell away over the next few miles. I continued past the road to my neighborhood, pushing work obligations and chores off until later. Rolling on the throttle at the entry to the curves, and backing off on the straights kept my speed constant; brisk but not crazy; moving medi tation at highway speeds. There were no more jerky corners or drifting within the lane, just smooth riding. A few more miles and a thousand feet higher in elevation, pockets of fresh snow were still lingering in the shaded areas, unusual for a couple weeks before the summer solstice, especially since it had been 93 degrees three days prior. A sweeping hairpin turn marked the be ginning of the mountain pass, which provided expansive views of the valley I had just travelled. Once at the top, a half-foot of new snow blanketed the surrounding terrain, with a number of broken branches and bent trees straining under the unseasonable weight of the wet, heavy slush. A U-turn at the top and a leisurely ride back down the valley brought me back home, an hour later than expected. Two big dogs ran out to greet me, demanding that I give them the attention they think they deserve - which is quite a bit. I gladly showered them with affection (and some food), then took them in the truck part-way back from where I had just ridden. Work and chores would still be waiting at home when I returned; and while they too, would demand my attention, unlike with the dogs, I didn’t feel the least bit bad about ignoring them for another hour or two. The mutts enjoyed the unseasonable snow, and got quite wet and muddy, which added to the chores of cleaning up the house when we returned. While we were out, the dogs didn’t have a hard time focusing on fun and play. They’re blissfully unaware of events outside their place in the world, and they’re quite happy with simply having enough food, someone to pet them and a place to sleep. There’s a lesson there for us, if we can slow down, breath, and pay attention. As the Four Horsemen seem to be getting saddled-up for an Apocalyptic Rodeo, it’s important to take a few breaths and pay attention, even if it’s just during a ride home from the doctor and taking the dogs for a walk. Work and chores…and perhaps the Apocalypse…will still be waiting for us, but in the meantime, paying attention to the fun and beauty right in front of us is more im portant than ever.