What do you think about all day?
Not probably something you think about that often.
Reflective practice was something I learned during my nursing training.
Its definition is: –
Reflective practice is a process where individuals think critically about their actions and experiences to gain insights and improve their professional skills. It involves analyzing past experiences to enhance future performance and learning.
My take on this is to remember as much as I can about things I’ve seen, heard or done. Then, when I have time alone, have a good conversation with myself about them. Telling stories, whether to yourself or with others is not only a way to learn, it is a major part of defining your life for me.
Having friends you can share with “Hey, do you remember when we ……”, or vivid memories of places, people and experiences you’ve had that still make you smile, laugh or think, are what it’s all about. Each of us will have our own individual journey, that’s for sure. You are the only one who will live yours. Others will join you for parts of the adventure, but only you will have experienced each step along the way. So, enjoy the road, take in view and “smell the to roses” as they say along the way. It doesn’t really matter to much what others think or say about you, it does matter how you think about yourself. This sounds simple but it isn’t. Being honest with yourself is not always easy. Some might let their ego take the lead and think far too much about how great they think they are. Others might take the opposite approach, looking far too much at others and what they have or do, and then feeling unfulfilled or resentful about themselves. Knowing who you are, your strengths, faults and weaknesses, warts and all, is something I would encourage any young person to try and do. Be honest with yourself, humble but confident in who you are. Nobody can do everything that’s for sure. The rich can’t understand the reality of being poor, the tall can’t experience a life of being short, this is an endless list. Once I understand I couldn’t do, see or experience everything life offered at an early age, I think life became easy for me. My mother never set out expectations, other than to be happy, for me. What a wonderful goal for a child. Being happy rather than famous, successful or rich seems far more rewarding to me now for sure. I’ve met many famous, successful and rich people throughout my life, one thing for sure, they aren’t all happy, content or even satisfied with themselves. Maybe I live in my own delusional childish bubble of fun but I honestly do really enjoy every day.
So there you have it. Some moments of reflection, thoughts and feelings from inside my head. This is what goes on in my mind while sitting on a bike for days at a time. I will certainly have dark moments of doubt and even pain, periods of laughter and fun and hopefully sometime of peace and confidence. The key for this ride will be to stay in the moment. The moment often requires a change of view, different perspective or even just a positive thought to get me through the times when negativity, fatigue and doubt try to make you quit and throw in the towel.
I have never classed myself as being great at anything. I have been fortunate enough to meet some people who are truly the best at what they do, they are indeed great. However, one thing I am good at, is being positive and kind with myself when things get tough or difficult. This ride is going to ask a lot of difficult questions, many moments of doubt and times of physical tiredness or actual pain I know. The fun or payoff for all of this, isn’t in where I finish within the race itself or the time I record for ride. The reward for me, is that single fleeting moment of sheer joy, when you realize you have just completed something difficult you weren’t sure you could do. It’s hard to describe but it has brought a momentary tear to my eyes in the past and hope it does again at a garage in Key West, the finish line, next weekend.
