Noise

How does stillness come from movement?  How do you find silence in the midst of noise?  I don't understand how but I can testify that it does happen.

When I run or ride, I find peace.  My life involves noise...lots of it.  Noise can be unwanted, loud and too much information.  Some days there is so much noise it literally makes me ill (did you know the latin roots of the word are the same as the word nausea?).  I want to just stop and find a quiet place to sit.  I want to hear nothing for just a few minutes.  I want to rest.

I end up on my bike and I'm not sure how I got there.  All I know is that I'm pedaling, avoiding cars, raising my heart rate, wind roaring in my ears (it is Oklahoma after all) and then I find it...peace.  My mind starts to clear, I settle into a rhythm on the pedals and my heart slows down.  Some days I hear nothing and just stare off into a landscape that was never beautiful until I discovered it on a bicycle.  Other days I fall in love with the sounds of the bike; wheels in the wind, cassette as I shift gears or just the steady spin of the chain.  Yes, I have even found song rising in my heart and actually escaping my mouth (and yes I look around self-consciously as if a theater of people were suddenly riding along next to me).  On all of these days I find myself in a sweet communion with all that matters and I know He is pleased.  I return to work or home or where ever and am better for it.  The people I am around are better for it.

How does this happen?

I still don't know.  I guess I'll have to go for another ride and see if I can figure it out.

Start

Starting is hard on many levels. Starting a new job, new routine/habit, new sport, stage of life, relationship, or a blog can be intimidating.  Even starting a ride takes tremendous effort.  Have you ever found yourself with the time, gear and perfect conditions for a ride or run and yet you just can't get out the door?  My wife and I have to constantly remind ourselves that the only ride/run we regret is the one we don't go on.  Why is starting so hard?

In spite of this, starting seems to be an area in which my generation excels.  We start all the time.  A "start-up" is actually a cool trend in business.  We live in a society that almost respects whoever starts the most - just consider the number of tweets, emails, facebook posts you see in a day.  However, to start implies a journey and a finish.  There are 2 areas we aren't getting such high marks in.  We're told to consider the end (count the cost) before beginning.  I believe many do this.  However, we don't spend any time preparing for the journey and so we choose to bail or quit when it causes the slightest discomfort.  Isn't the journey where all the fun is to be found?  It's easy to consider the finish.  We all dream of crossing the line first and receiving the reward, trophy or whatever.  We want to be first!  Nobody sets out to be a domestique.  Right?

Cycling & running teach you to endure discomfort.  Over time and with training, you can endure more discomfort for longer periods of time.  The key is consistency.  It's a discipline.  It requires commitment and being intentional with your time.  All areas my generation also scores low in.  I think I'm a bit off and you will doubt what I'm about to confess.  I enjoy the ride more than winning the race.  It's my favorite part.  Starting IS hard.  Finishing leaves me a bit sad.  It's the feeling that comes from settling in and spending hours pedaling with my thoughts or a good friend (especially my wife), that keep me throwing a leg over my saddle.  It's the reason I start.

To produce these thoughts from month to month is as intimidating to me as a two hour bike ride used to be.  I love to spend hours on the bike today. 

So, after much prayer and consideration, I take up the pen (aka keyboard) and look forward to this journey.