simple things bring change
if you notice –
the blossoms of opportunity
the reflections of dreams
that you had swept under the rug
only to find them floating –
sparkling in the dust
that is illuminated by the sunlight
streaming through your window
the early morning beauty hidden
in the prisms of another new day
Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein
I have to follow the last post with a post on bike safety. Too often drivers are careless and impatient, disregarding the safe passage of a cyclist commuter. There are also the too many cyclists that ignore the rules of the road and put themselves at risk. Leaving the driver shaking their heads and heart pounding. The results from lack of care, by both driver and cyclists, can be severe.
Everyone, please show respect for all who share the roads.
So for all you drivers out there, please give heed to the many cyclists. We are at your mercy and we all have loved ones waiting for us. The following is from ICBC Cycling Safety.
Sharing the road with cyclists
On average, nearly four out of five crashes involving cyclists occur at intersections in B.C. When driving, you can help reduce the chances of a crash by sharing the road safely and following these tips:
Keep a safe distance. Maintain at least three seconds behind cyclists and at least one metre when passing a cyclist. Don’t risk side-swiping or running a cyclist off the road.
Dooring is dangerous. In B.C., one in 14 car crashes involving cyclists are the result of dooring (video, 30secs) . Both drivers and passengers must shoulder check for cyclists before opening doors. This will help you avoid a dooring violation and fine too.
Don’t get distracted. Watch for cyclists on the road and make eye contact if you can, so they can anticipate your next move.
Look out. Shoulder check for cyclists before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left. Scan for cyclists before you enter the roadway from an alley or get in and out of a parking spot.
Yield the right-of-way. Yield to cyclists and signal well in advance if you need to cross a designated bike lane or pull over to the side of the road.
Open your door the Dutch Reach way.
All the cyclists out there, please play by the rules. Keep your speed in check, wear visible gear and a brain cap. The following is again from ICBC Cycling Safety .
Safety tips for cyclists
Be safe on the road when you’re cycling with these simple tips:
Reflect on safety. Be extra visible with reflective gear on your bicycle pedals and wheels.
Bike lanes are best. Use designated bike routes whenever possible – they’re safer and reduce conflicts with vehicle traffic. Check your local municipality’s website for designated bike routes or go to TransLink for Metro Vancouver cycling maps.
Don’t ride on the sidewalk. If there’s no bike lane, keep to the right-hand side of the road as much as it’s safe to do so. It’s illegal to ride on most sidewalks and crosswalks.
Follow the rules of the road. Make sure you obey all traffic signs and signals and adhere to the rules of the road.
Use caution around parked vehicles. Be aware of people in vehicles as well as taxis to avoid getting hit by an opening door. Try to keep at least once metre away from parked vehicles.
Shoulder check. Use hand signals and shoulder check in advance before taking any turns. Remember, drivers sometimes fail to yield right-of-way.
Protect yourself before cycling
Always wear an approved bicycle helmet that meets safety standards (CSA, ANSI, ASTM or SNELL B-95) and occasionally check for signs of wear. Wearing a helmet is the law in B.C. and you could be fined for not wearing one.
Remember to plan for poor weather or low light conditions. Your bicycle must be equipped with a white headlight visible at 150 metres and a rear red light/reflector visible at 100 metres. Be extra visible with reflective gear on your pedals and wheels.
This video will teach you the MVPC about safe commuting.
For more information on bike safety, watch Commute-Smart-videos, made in the UK. Wish I could edit helmets onto all those who are not wearing a brain cap in these videos.
Regardless of your mode of transport, we all must share the road.
Play by the rules, be patient, respectful and give space.
We all are on our way home to someone who loves us.
Lets all get there safely.
“Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.”
Charles M. Schultz
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I move
because if I don’t
fat conglomerates in body and mind
life becomes joyless and stagnant
creating a road to unhappiness and poor health
I have broken the monotony of
s-e-d-e-n-t-a-r-i-n-e-s-s
that work has demanded of me
muscles now fire up
the heart pumps beats of delight
mind blooms with synapses of jubilation
wheels spinning
inspiring and encouraging
habits that promote
health and happiness
I was a acute care nurse for 18 years. A lack of fulfilment, due to increasing work load demands, left me exhausted and stressed out. I do however, miss the movement that acute nursing provided.
Now I am a home care nurse – WHICH I LOVE – with one exception. It has led to being more sedentary. I sit too much, at a desk or in my car. Clogging my own and the world’s arteries.
I have always found time to play in the outdoors outside of work. Without the forest runs I would not be a sane person. Regardless of this extra time for other activities, the sedentariness of work was causing aches and pains I had never had before. Time to find a solution and make a change.
So I have purchased a cargo electric assist bike. I am now spinning into wellness as I commute between clients’ homes.
Many are skeptical and ask, “doesn’t it take more time?”. The reality is that I have been able to get to where I need to be within 5 minutes of what it took in my car. A few times I even beat a driving co worker to the same home. Plus – parking is a non issue!
I would not be able to do it without the cargo space; I carry a lot of supplies. I also need the electric assist due to the many hills where I live. Assist or not, my legs are always moving.
The following is a great video addressing the hidden health risks of a sedentary life style.
I am already seeing the results after doing this for just a few weeks. The emotional, physical and mental stress that can result from my job is releasing with each pedal stroke. Movement creates a healthy body, mind and spirit.
My carbon footprint is less. If Glory can carry it (of course I named her), I bike to get myself around the city when not working as well. With the continued threats on planet earth, every little bit helps.
Life is rich and full with many demands. If we do not show compassion and care for our own well being, it becomes more difficult to care for all the others in our lives. The burdens are greater, all those demands become arduous, and the stressors immobile us.
It can be tough to find the time and we can make numerous excuses. It is said, best to get out of your own way to make change happen. Put those excuses to the side and find a solution.
So I have broke the sedentariness of my daily routine at work with cycling. Changing my routine to make it happen, when I can.
What do you already do to incorporate exercise into your daily routine? Or how will you change to promote a healthier body, mind and spirit?
“The groundwork of all happiness is health” L. Hunt
Time is rich and full
possessing intervals of adventure
in the squashed space cradled
between demands of the earth’s state of affairs
previous —
memories of childhood linger in fairytales of realness
presently —
time laughs in the face of my accumulating years
I now choose ever so mindfully
my collection of thrills
of moments wrapped in the universe’s jest
that nibble at my brain’s intervening patterns
creating velvety, supple synapses
to span the seasons on this cosmic journey
photo by me
Deep thoughts engage me,
enrage me
infecting the mind with constant curses
sanity caught in a snare of deceit
my soul screaming for freedom
gather these constant diatribes
into a thundercloud of energy
let erratic thoughts fall like rain
releasing turmoil emotions
to flood into the depths of nothingness
authentic self unravelling
like a diminishing distant squall
producing holograms of rainbows
that gather in the endless sky of mine
daily word prompt infect
The elder sat still, modestly covered,
in the entrance to the small hut.
Her face held a faint smile,
her eyes lost in transition.
A permanent reminder of a mind deceiving her.
The much younger woman cradled
the older woman’s arm in a tender embrace.
Smooth skin rubbing oil,
along the wrinkled impressions of age.
The faint scent of sandalwood filled the air.
A quiet hum of the waking morning,
in rising crescendo.
Everyday, the ritual was the same.
Quiet, each lost in their own moments.
Yet, today, the eve of the elder’s last year,
the ancestors gathered in the folds of her fading memories.
A portal to the revered.
The elder woman began to sing,
quietly with intention.
Earth and sky.
Rivers and valleys.
Moonbeams and sunshine.
Gods and Goddesses.
Life and death.
Legends of creation flowed from her.
Centuries of wisdom shared.
The student listened attentively,
knowing it is now her turn.
To hold the past and the future.
These moments of grace,
in sacred balance.
Daily word prompt legend
“KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. LISTEN. FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY. IDEAS ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. LET THEM KNOW YOUR ARE AVAILABLE”
Elizabeth Gilbert
Here we are the last day of April. My final poem for Poetry Month. Kind of crazy just how quickly the month went, but really, time is such a warped way to measure reality. When I started this blog I never thought I would be writing a poem everyday for a month. I have astonished myself. I truly enjoyed the experience. Being creative in this way actually changed how I perceive the world. I have always been fairly aware, but I am now tuned in to another frequency and I love it.
A poem ♥ are thoughts spoken and unspoken
What is Life ♥ but poetry in motion
When I began this journey of blogging I was worried about what others thought. I have succeeded in pushing my boundaries around vulnerability. Now I just don’t care. This is my journey, my imagination and it is inspiring me to keep evolving. Another favourite quote from “BIG MAGIC”
“IF PEOPLE DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU’RE CREATING, JUST SMILE AT THEM SWEETLY AND TELL THEM TO GO MAKE THEIR OWN FUCKING ART” Elizabeth Gilbert
I will most likely not be posting everyday from here on, but I will continue to carry pen and paper with me. When the creative adventure flows, my mind will take note. I encourage all to listen deeply to the world around them. There is so much inspiration that otherwise goes unnoticed.
Daily word prompt astonish
There is a friend we all have in common
One who is a constant reminder to love
Sadly many are too scared or have forgotten
and try to give our dear friend a shove
Our friend remains silently beside us
Always only a breath from our sooth
Whispering words of wisdom and thus
To live life with wonder and truth
If you can open your heart to our teacher
Lessons of life you will tenderly embrace
The mystery will then become the feature
How will you live your remaining moments of grace?
Daily word prompt wonder
the wind comes suddenly
like a dragon’s breath
the trees creak in protest
sword ferns sway in combat
the raven cries a warning
the wrens join the chorus
with an inhale, the dragon retreats
the wind only a whisper
like the wings of an angel
the chorus becomes a eulogy
the big cat, freshly preened
purrs a hymn of gratitude
the elk lay still
rivulets of life force
bleed upon his mossy grave
the vanilla leaves droop in mourning
the bleeding hearts weep
the fawn lilies bow their heads in sorrow
the sun’s last rays illuminate
his spirit hastily departed
Poem # 28 for Poetry Month
daily prompt rivulet
My 13 year old spent the entire weekend on the rock. Learning about aid climbing, gear placement, safety and responsibility. It was a JOY to watch him push boundaries and find fulfillment in his own achievements. It was an interesting experience trusting and finding faith in my own parenting, as I slowly let out more and more rope.
Climbing teaches so much about life. Boundaries, courage, fear, faith, support, self worth. The list is endless. My hope is that he continues to take what he has gained on the rock and applies it to the everyday moments.
The following poem is my contribution to Poetry month, inspired by my son.
Love you more than the mountains love the sky Rowen.
daisy chains & cow loops
quick draws & fifi hooks
ascending the atriers of life
methodically pushing the boundaries of childhood
faith and intention your protection
finding fulfillment in perseverance
wisdom in vulnerability
pushing through fear with perspective & purpose
courage & experience leading the way
intuition nudging you
mentors supporting you
trust sustaining you
the rock grounding you
the sky you aspire to
nature sings a chorus of encouragement
the rope lengthens, stretching your spirit
each climb a notable achievement
towards independence & responsibility
Yet, gently your shadow swings
always a portal to your youth’s imagination
love ♥ your constant belayer
to catch you when you falter
ever so slowly you spread your wings
to one day take flight and soar
For the non climbers out there. Atriers and daisy chains are ladders made from webbing. Cow loops and fifi hooks are also essential tools that are used in aid climbing. If you have not yet, push your boundaries and give rock climbing a go. So rewarding and so much FUN!
daily word prompt notable
aglow TO ILLUMINATE WITH LOVE & GRATITUDE 