I’ve always felt like Simplicity is the key to a happy and successful life. I’ve done a pretty good job at keeping things as simplified as possible, but feel that I need to go even further to really get the full benefits of what this way of life has to offer.
There’s already been a few posts by me praising the notion of living a simple life, but I’ve never really talked about how the bicycle, and riding a bike fits so perfectly into the whole simplicity mix. I’m still moving towards a much more car-lite lifestyle, and those who are already there can attest to the feeling of simplicity that it provides. Living without a vehicle might not be as handy in some instances, but I think the peace of mind and freedom goes a long way in making up for it.
Even the bike itself is a product of simplicity. Sure, they have become more complex over the years….but in the end they really are just two wheels on a frame. A bike might require a few repairs and regular maintenance, but looking after it is so much more simplified then looking after a vehicle.
I sit and watch my two year old Son, and see how such simple things fascinate and entertain him. Then I watch us adults, and see how we need all this “Stuff” to entertain us. We’re so caught up in our fast paced lives that we never get a chance to let things simmer and just be for a little while each day.
Yeah, lucky for us….we have our bike rides that allow us freedom, simplicity, and the ability to just “be” for a little while. Try extending that into the other parts of your life, and I’m pretty sure you’ll experience how that feeling on the bike transcends into the other areas as well.