Writing my blog has been an on-going learning experience. Like me, what I write about has evolved over time. People who read it back in the stone age might not like what it has become but that’s alright. In a roundabout way, yes, it is about motorcycles. Sort of. More than just posts about riding from A to B, specs, farkles and so on – this is a chronicle of my brain’s inner monologue. As it turns out, my uncluttered thoughts are best tapped in to when I am riding my motorcycle.

Whenever I write about my flaws, my strangeness, the things that hurt or embarrass me – invariably there is someone who reads it, reaches out and says, “me too.” Now, of course I realize that my feelings about things aren’t unique. But even so – I am often surprised by this me too-ness. Are we all riding around carrying bags full of insecurities, anxieties and hurts? Do we all just want someone to get us?

It’s has been a difficult lesson to learn that it is my fragile humanity that connects me to other people. A false projection of perfection might get lookers through the door but I’m not interested in just numbers or stats. I’m interested in learning to be a better human from the people who stop by and have their own stories to share.

This post is part of a month-long writing prompt challenge: Brave, Bold, Blogger Challenge (BBBC) 2017 hosted by Kathy at ToadMama.com.

Prompt: A hard lesson you’ve learned

When the calendar page rolls from December in to January, there is a sparkle of wonder about what the year will bring. With motorcycling being such an important part of my life, where I will go and what I will see is in the forefront of my imaginings.

Beyond daydreaming about where I’ll find myself, my mind also floats back to all the places I’ve been. Sometimes it isn’t until the onset of one of these nostalgia trips that I realize how much I’ve seen. While you’re in the midst of doing things – that’s just your life. That moment is your existence and often doesn’t feel out of the ordinary. I suppose that can make it easy to overlook the magnitude of some things and maybe keeps you from being overwhelmed.

Though I sometimes gobble up the miles in order to stand in front of something, I never see the miles themselves as a trophy. Sometimes I’ll get a bug in my ear about visiting something but hundreds of miles stand between us. Even though it means I’ll be going riding, pounding out the miles on the slab can be a drag.

Over the years I’ve found space inside of myself to mostly come to terms with long highway stretches. But there are moments when I teeter on the edge of a complete f’n meltdown because I just don’t feel like doing it. It is in those moments that I have to dig deep to find the power to continue. Those are the moments when I have to remember why I’m doing what I’m doing. There is something waiting for me on the other side, something I have to suffer to get to… something that will be worth the squirming discomfort.

Thinking ahead to the year that is unfolding, my mileage goal is the same as the last 20 or so: to ride some, to be safe and have a good time.

This post is part of a month-long writing prompt challenge: Brave, Bold, Blogger Challenge (BBBC) 2017 hosted by Kathy at ToadMama.com.

Prompt: Annual Mileage Goal