Over the past week, my life has changed, all because I sold my car and bought a bike. Believe me, the change was scary, but I did it anyway. I had been planning to sell my car for over a year. Never quite courageous enough, I held off. The thing that helped me find the courage to finally part with my car was the vision that I have about how I want my life to be. I can see it clearly, carefree, full of sunshine and daffodils, riding down country lanes taking it all in – finding joy all around me.
My daily routine has been completely turned upside down. Planning to get from A to B evolves around bike trails and bus routes. When the sun is shining, I’m on my bike! But even riding in the rain last week was enjoyable too. I managed to dodge the heavy downpour, and instead, catch a fine mist on my face. It all felt rather refreshing and magical.
To anyone in their cars passing me on my bike, all they would have seen was the huge grin on my face and my open mouth, trying to catch the rain droplets like I did when I was a kid. I did catch some glances and it felt great to see that I brought a smile to their face.
While on my bike, I am able to slow down, be in the moment and see that joy is all around me. Life on a bike is different.
You take different paths.
You go slower, noticing life all around you.
You see the flowers.
You smell the wet pine, the flowers and the lavender.
You hear the crunch of leaves, the dogs barking and children’s laughter.
But most of all, you hear your breath and feel your heart.
You feel in the moment connected to yourself. You feel alive, full of energy, just like when you were a kid.
The big question is How to find joy.
Joy is all around us, but it’s easier to see when we break out of our old patterns.
Try something different. Try something new, or something you enjoyed as a kid. And if like me, you ride in the rain, you may just find yourself tempted to stick out your tongue to catch some droplets.
Join the Blossome community where we heal together along the Pathway to Peace. Break old patterns and open up to joy in a safe space filled with others who understand what it feels like to lose a loved one to alcoholism or addiction. Your healing journey is your own, but you don’t have to travel it alone. Join the Blossome Community.
Kim Moore is the Founder of Blossome CIC. She lost her husband Chris to alcoholism in 2017. She faced a difficult journey while raising 2 children alone, with her family living on the opposite side of the world. Kim founded the Blossome Community and The Pathway to Peace healing journey so no one would have to feel alone while enduring the trauma of a loved one’s battle with alcoholism or addiction. She is also on a mission to end the generational cycle of alcoholism and addiction in families.