Finding Balance
Over the years, life has changed somewhat and I now find myself thinking, how do I get some sort of balance. How do others seem to have their life balanced like Zen masters, while chaos always seems to be looming around my next corner.
I have to admit, I'm very lucky. I have a wife, who loves and supports me. I have a mini team of boys, who bounce off the walls, ride their bikes through the house and who I love to the moon and back. I have my bike, or should that be, I have my bikes. My pedal powered friends, who are continually changing and growing like a family in itself. There in lies my problem.
Like every cyclist, I'm addicted to my bikes. Resistance is futile! The lure of the open road, the bugs hitting me in the face, my tan lines, lots of coffee and plenty of pain. I love riding on my own, in a group or with a friend. I love riding on the road, around a town circuit, on a track or on the grass. To be honest, I love all aspects of cycling. All my cycling activities require time and there is never enough time.
Prior to the arrival of the mini team, I look back and wonder what I actually did with all my time. I stayed in bed, watched telly in peace, went out with friends and generally wasted what spare time I had.
Now, I have to be more organised and more grown up to ensure that my work is sorted, my training is complete, my bike is cleaned to perfection, the tasks on the ever growing household chores list are ticked and to ensure I'm still ready to fight shredder out of the ninja turtles.
My training rides used to be whenever I liked, wherever I liked, long, short, cafe stop, no cafe stop. Now they are to the point and purposeful. They are at times that fit around the team. I've figured I can get a decent ride in, cut a small loop out and still make it to the boys track session, rather than missing it all together.
As time has gone on, I've learnt not to get hung up on trying to balance everything. It's more tiring, it's more stressful and ultimately life isn't as fun. I try not to regret, if I can't make every single piece of the puzzle fit, I embrace the challenge and move on. I swap and change. I squeeze things in. I do my best for the important aspects of my life.
As life gets busier, it's good to take time to recharge and switch off. From time to time have that quick coffee after a ride and chat with your cycling buddies about all things bike.
Will I ever find complete Zen balance, who knows. Am I doing better, for sure and like everyone I'm continually learning.
All the best and happy pedalling,
Chris,
Founder of VeloSkin
