I Looked Up

Do you remember learning how to ride a bike for the first time? How it felt? The thoughts that crossed your mind?

My memories are vivid, considering my first bike-riding experience was a little over a month ago. I grew up watching other kids ride their bikes around my neighborhood, envious of their skill and wishing my parents would buy me a bike or let me learn from one of my friends. It seemed that some of common childhood experiences like learning how to ride a bike or swim would take a  backseat to school and staying out of trouble.

I grew tired of making excuses or avoiding suggestions to spend lovely afternoons on a bike or by having to explain how I could possibly have gotten so far in life without learning something so fundamental.

As my year of “yes” reaches the midpoint, I decided to tackle this head on and the results were…surprising.

My good friend Ilene from The Fierce Diva Guide to Life invited me to share my story this week on her site, in my first ever guest blog post. Ilene has been a tremendous inspiration for her wicked writing skills and as all-around female warrior. A yogi, a mother, a strong woman, an amazing talent to weave so much emotion through her beautiful stories: she has it all. I had a blast writing this post for The Fierce Diva Guide to Life and I thank Ilene a million times over for the invitation. 🙂

I’m extending the invitation to all of you to head on over to The Fierce Diva Guide to Life where you’ll find my guest post and all of Ilene’s incredible stories. As Ilene likes to say, Namaste!

Here’s an excerpt and keep scrolling down for video!

“Remember to always look up!” he said cheerily.

Sure, that’s easy for you to say, I thought angrily.

I took a deep breath, pushed off on my right foot and fought for balance. I couldn’t get my eyes off the ground for more than a couple of seconds.

This is impossible.  I’m going to fall and look like an idiot. 

I managed to get my foot on the pedals, push off, and maintain my balance. Then came the hard part: keeping my eyes up.

This is…..pretty awesome! I thought. What was I so scared of?

That question resonates weeks later as I think back on that moment of fearlessness and joy after spending two hours learning how to ride a bicycle. Yes, I’m twenty-nine years old and never learned how to ride a bike. Feel free to gawk and chuckle. I’ve heard it all before, trust me.

Like what you’ve read so far? Keep reading at The Fierce Diva Guide to Life.

And I recorded the whole thing for the sake of posterity. I’m officially a bike rider and there’s proof.