The Bicycle Man

Can you imagine being thirty-something, living in Seattle—where bicycling is a big part of the culture—not knowing how to ride a bike ...and wanting to? For one of my clients, I will call her Clarissa, that is just the case. And it's interesting the parallels I see between Clarissa and my two and a half year old grandson, Henry. Much like a child wanting to learn how to ride, Clarissa is filled with the same level of desire, but lacks the skills and confidence. And like Clarissa, Henry has experienced the frustration and fear of falling when trying something new. Henry's first crash resulted in not only a scraped up elbow and understanding of why he wears a helmet, but his refusal to try it again.

Isn't that the case with so many things we try? If we fall and get hurt, we tend to put that thing aside and go on to something more familiar, safer, and in our control. Problem with that though is that when we make the choice to always live in our comfort zone we can't learn new things or come to know our limitations. Imagine if people like Lance Armstrong decided not to get back on his bike after crashing. And think of the millions of people who have learned to ride a bicycle ....as if it's just part of growing up. Part of what helps in the case of learning to ride a bicycle is that we get to see so many other people doing it. Of course, if "she" can ride a bike, then so can I, we think. And it's true! We naturally have more confidence in a thing when we see others doing it. They didn't die trying it and actually look to be having a great time...hmm, you think, I gotta do that!

Then there are the more (seemingly) uncommon fears to overcome with not so many role models to follow. I'm talking about things like quitting a job, confronting a friend who betrayed you, or asking for a raise when you know you deserve it. But, if we apply the same courage it takes to get on a bike for the first time, we can achieve these things; in some cases, things we never knew were possible. Getting on a bike for the first time takes desire and an understanding of what's being asked of you (to pedal, steer, and brake) but more importantly, a lot of courage!

Taking my grandson to the skate park where there are lots of bicyclists helped him get interested again. He saw a four year old on his push bike (small bike with no pedals) going up and down the hilly dirt terrain designed for trail (mountain) bikes to do jumps and tricks. Henry was in awe, mesmerized by this person about the same size as him (Henry's a big boy) going where "big people" go, doing "big people" stuff. He saw courage in action. Henry soon asked my husband to go get "his" push bike...now. Just like the tricycle, his push bike is something he showed interest in, but then shied away from upon his initial feeling of being out of control. But now he had renewed motivation and was not so scared because others were doing OK at it.

Seeing others achieving the same goals we desire serves as great motivation, but it also begs the question, how did they do it? It's simple. They faced their fears and did it anyway.

Recently, after finally getting the courage to climb back on the tricycle, my grandson learned to pedal—all by himself! Within an hour, he wasn't just pedaling a few feet, stopping, checking it out; he was speeding down the sidewalk at a fast pace! His newfound freedom set him loose. With thoughts of only going forward, he was three houses away before we knew it.

Writing about this takes me back to a special memory of when I was a kid. My brothers and sisters and I woke up one day to find bicycles for each us leaned up in a row out front in our dirt yard. A mix of old bikes they were. Each one of various colors, shapes, and sizes. They had been recycled to build "new" bikes. We didn't know how they got there or who made them, but it was obvious these bikes were for us!

It has always been a mystery who the "bicycle man" was that gifted us with such generosity but we think of him often. Had it not been for the Bicycle Man, I wonder if I would be like my client—watching from the sidelines as others speed by—thinking how do I muster up the courage, face fears, and do it anyway? 

I must have learned to ride a bike because I watched my older brothers and sisters doing it. No one ever gave me a lesson, per se; I just did what I saw others doing ....successfully. But, let's face it, learning to ride a bike as an adult is much harder than taking it on with the fearlessness and determination of a kid. 

It won't be long before Clarissa learns to ride, though. Our next meeting is at a local park. And just like in life, she'll be learning skills on how to balance while accelerating, steering, braking, navigating obstacles, coasting with abandon, and doing it anyway. Who knows, maybe one day she'll let me teach her how to ride with no hands or do a wheelie. Hmmm, might need to get my brother Mel for that one ...he could ride for miles on his back wheel. No exaggeration. Thank you Bicycle Man.

Tuesdays in Fremont at the "Pujari Center"

Beginning next week, Tuesday, July 19th, I will be seeing clients at the newly expanded Pujari Center in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle.

To kick things off, I am offering a 50% discount for all appointments on that day! Please email me at ruth@seattleenergymedicine.com or call 206.708.3277 to reserve your spot!

Dr. Astrid Pujari is an MD who practices Integrative Medicine and she's also an herbalist! I've known Dr. Pujari for many years and credit her for helping me on my own path to better health and wellbeing. She is expanding her integrative clinic to include a wide-range of healing modalities; such as, energy healing, yoga, massage, and acupuncture, to name a few.

I am so happy and honored to be a part of this talented and heart-centered group of healing practitioners and invite you to come meet them at our open house on Monday, August 8th. All are welcome!

The clinic will also offer a weekly meditation class every Wednesday from 5:00PM-6:00PM. To give people an opportunity to try a variety of meditation techniques, each week will feature a different teacher and different style of meditation. I will be teaching the first Wednesday of every month for this ongoing series using techniques as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda, which basically involves various breathing techniques (pranayama) and word formula (mantra).

The updated Pujari Center web site will launch very soon to provide more details, but for now you may learn more about Dr. Astrid Pujari at http://www.pujaricenter.com/

Hope to see you soon!

Blessings of love and joy to all!