As I was heading out the door my wife reminded me to make
sure to wear my helmet while I biked to work.
In preparation, I took my bike out of the garage and placed my helmet on
the back rack. Prior to leaving I gave
directions to our gardeners, and then was on my way.
My route starts by climbing up a tenth of a mile steep driveway,
followed by a quarter of a mile flat, and then exiting the neighborhood down a
half mile long hill. I was enjoying the
breeze and the fast glide with no effort.
Upon turning the corner at the bottom of the hill, my mind started
wandering, going back to the conversation with the gardeners. Suddenly I became aware I had forgotten to
put on my helmet.
Angry at my carelessness I immediately turned around to head
back home and went into low gear for the uphill journey. I reminded myself to be more mindful in the
future. This triggered the thought--why
not be more mindful now? With
observation, I realized my tunnel-vision, with my mind racing, frantically
heading up the hill to correct the problem.
As I relaxed, the scope of my thoughts expanded--I wondered where the
helmet had fallen off. Probably going up
the steep driveway I concluded.
I am not sure how much was attributed to the steep climb up
the hill or the continued mindful observation, but with further awareness and mind
relaxation (but not my legs!) I decided to check my assumptions. I stopped my bike and looked at my back
rack. There was the helmet.
How many times do we fail to be mindful and base our decision
making on emotional scripts and don’t consider alternative courses of action? The steep hill reminded me of many lessons I
knew but didn’t apply.
First, it’s important to me more mindful in all our
actions. I often quote Ben Franklin and
say that “a step in time saves nine.” In
this case mindful-action at the start of the trip would have saved the possible
return trip up the hill.
Second, when trouble in life occurs, it’s important to be
mindful and slow down, so that narrow, unproductive scripts do not take over your
decision making.
Third, I need look for an alternative, less steep route to
return to home.
How does life remind you to be more mindful? What lessons have you recently learned along
the mindfulness path?
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