The Balancing Act

First thing I need to say is this yourMTB site has some great stories. I am only now just getting around to sharing my own. My story is actually more of an observation, maybe its a story - I dont know - I am more of a visual person so bear with me.

As I get older and my birthday nears I realize how as a kid I could count the days to that morning of waking up and knowing "this is my day". Of course, it was also - where are those gifts, the cake and ice cream. Man I love ice cream. Now life is too busy for me to bother counting the days and I know in just about 2 weeks I will one day wake up and go oh yeah its my birthday, well, time to go to the office.

I would much rather hop on my bike and head off for a morning ride with some friends. That cool crisp morning air and the silence of nature. Here in Southern California its mountain bike weather 50 weeks out of the year! Unfortunately, there are chores to be done, bills to be paid, kids to be feed and hosed off in the back yard and health insurance companies to call and find out why things are not covered that ought to be. Life these days seems so complicated. Its becoming exponentially frustrating.

I dont know if its just me or the city I live in, Los Angeles. I sometimes wonder if living in a small town in say, Colorado would allow me to slow down and count the days to my birthday. The grass always tends to be greener though. I do know that mountain biking brings an amazing balance to my life. It sounds corny and zen like, I know - but that feeling of being away from the hussle and bussle of cell phone talking suv drivers and services that always seem to be falling short of what their million dollar ad campaigns claim is great.

2007 is fast approaching. I am already implementing change in my life. Some people call it a "New Years Resolution". Sure, whatever. Maybe for me its a Simplification of life. All I know is these things dont just happen all on January 2 after I roll out of bed. Nope. Oh no. I am getting things worked out so that when the New Year hits, I am going to get a full year of goodness.

I have many good friends and we all love to ride. One of my very best friends from High School rides with me an so does his dad. He is almost 60 and he loves to do 24 hour races with us. Recently on our way to Interbike I realized quickly time passes and before I know it I will be 60. I think its so important to enjoy what we can now.

I doubt I will ever count the days to my birthday again, but I will take things a bit slower, get on my bike more and definitely enjoy life.

Balance is key.