Some of you that check these pages regularly must be thinking that I have no life whatsoever, because I don't post regularly. Although I do, in fact, lead a full life, I have decided to post only when I have something useful, positive and uplifting to share.
This, of course, means that I have not had much uplifting, encouraging and positive to say in the last couple of days (weeks?). Yes, I too go through depressive moments and have had my own "pity party" for the last couple of days, but I am glad to report that it is now over and life is still going on!
Well, it would seem that winter is finally waking up, because it became suddenly colder in the last couple of days. This, in itself, is not a problem, since this has been happening at the same time nearly every year. (As far as I can determine, it has been happening around this time of year for thousands of years and will probably keep on for thousands more!)
The one thing that caught a number of people unawares, though, is the fact that the last couple of days have also been a little wetter than we are used to around here. Our winters are supposed to be dry!
Anyway...yesterday morning, getting ready to visit some clients in Johannesburg, I looked outside and decided to travel by car for a change. I can handle the wet on the bike...I can handle the cold on the bike...BUT...I've never been a big fan of the wet and the cold together on the bike. That's just plain uncomfortable!
I knew that the traffic was going to be heavy and slow, because all the other guys that usually travel by bike in the mornings would probably all be in their cars as well, so I made up my mind to relax even before I left the house. I put in some DC Talk and later listened to Bryn Hayworth, "bopping" along to the music and watching the people around me. By the time I got to my first client I had already formulated a plan for the day and found the day making it's own plans for me, but what the hay...I enjoyed it anyway!
That afternoon, I met a new friend from the UK who's an area rep from one of my client's suppliers. Turns out he rides bikes as well, so of course we hit it off straight away. Later I volunteered to take him back to his hotel (because it was on my way home anyway) and we ended up having a looooong chat...about bikes and good roads and great riding spots, of course!
Today turned out to be a typical start of winter day. Although it is cold outside, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and, probably most importantly... it is bike riding weather. Although the ride was GREAT, as usual actually, I'm now convinced that winter has finally arrived, as I'm sitting in a moderately heated office getting some life back into the fingers and toes. (Typing this is also helping!)
I'm looking forward to another productive and fantastic day where I can share some inspiration with those around me and hopefully make a difference in someone's life. So...until I post again, have a fabulous time and may someone who is positive come along and make you smile and find some joy.
Till later...
2008/05/28
2008/05/16
Stop the World ... I want to get off!
While on the way to see some Clients Wednesday morning I was again amazed at how many people are caught in the trap of having to rush everywhere they go. It brought to mind a bumper sticker I saw somewhere which said: "If people hate work so much, why are they all rushing to get there?"
If you read Monday's blog about sticking to the speed limit and the effect it had on my arrival time versus the arrival time of those who were "rushing" around me you would realise that it doesn't really matter how much you rush, you're still probably going to get there at the same time as everyone else. I made up my own law on being in a hurry in traffic. "When you're in a hurry, the lane you choose will instantly become the slowest moving lane, even if it was the fastest moving before you switched!"
Ok, ok, to be fair...You may get there 5 minutes ahead of others, but would probably have stressed another 2 years off your life compared to someone who had taken it easy. Also, my motto is that I would rather be 5 minutes late than never arrive at all because I may have suffered a stroke or been involved in an accident while rushing to get there! (Actually, my motto is that if you plan your journey properly and leave on time you may actually get there earlier and don't have to rush to get there in the first place!)
Now, again, let's be fair...I ride a bike, so I always get there earlier than anybody else traveling in a car, but that also comes with it's own hassles, which I have chosen to view as an acceptable risk. A guy nearly got taken out in front of me this morning, so I know what I mean when I talk of the risks involved in riding a bike instead of being stuck in a "full-fairing quad", believe me!
However, I believe that it has to do with a state of mind, because people end up getting in a rush due to becoming upset with their perceived lack of progress towards their destination. But think on the following...You decide whether someone or something upsets you, or not. When you get in the car in the morning and you're getting ready to go to work, you know what to expect in terms of traffic, unless it's the first day that you are travelling a specific road, of course, but let's generalise for the sale of dicsussion. So, if you know what to expect from your travels, why do you get upset when it goes according to your expectation?
It really is as easy as deciding not to get upset and to make the journey an enjoyable experience. Maybe change your routine once every now and then and you may find that it changes your life forever. Stop for a cup of coffee along the way just to take a break from the rush. Use the opportunity to stop and watch as others expend their energy in the rush.
You may just see what I see while I'm standing by the side of the road watching you rush by.
If you read Monday's blog about sticking to the speed limit and the effect it had on my arrival time versus the arrival time of those who were "rushing" around me you would realise that it doesn't really matter how much you rush, you're still probably going to get there at the same time as everyone else. I made up my own law on being in a hurry in traffic. "When you're in a hurry, the lane you choose will instantly become the slowest moving lane, even if it was the fastest moving before you switched!"
Ok, ok, to be fair...You may get there 5 minutes ahead of others, but would probably have stressed another 2 years off your life compared to someone who had taken it easy. Also, my motto is that I would rather be 5 minutes late than never arrive at all because I may have suffered a stroke or been involved in an accident while rushing to get there! (Actually, my motto is that if you plan your journey properly and leave on time you may actually get there earlier and don't have to rush to get there in the first place!)
Now, again, let's be fair...I ride a bike, so I always get there earlier than anybody else traveling in a car, but that also comes with it's own hassles, which I have chosen to view as an acceptable risk. A guy nearly got taken out in front of me this morning, so I know what I mean when I talk of the risks involved in riding a bike instead of being stuck in a "full-fairing quad", believe me!
However, I believe that it has to do with a state of mind, because people end up getting in a rush due to becoming upset with their perceived lack of progress towards their destination. But think on the following...You decide whether someone or something upsets you, or not. When you get in the car in the morning and you're getting ready to go to work, you know what to expect in terms of traffic, unless it's the first day that you are travelling a specific road, of course, but let's generalise for the sale of dicsussion. So, if you know what to expect from your travels, why do you get upset when it goes according to your expectation?
It really is as easy as deciding not to get upset and to make the journey an enjoyable experience. Maybe change your routine once every now and then and you may find that it changes your life forever. Stop for a cup of coffee along the way just to take a break from the rush. Use the opportunity to stop and watch as others expend their energy in the rush.
You may just see what I see while I'm standing by the side of the road watching you rush by.
2008/05/12
Obeying the law
Yesterday afternoon, on the way to Church, I decided to do something that would have a profound effect on my life. I decided to stick to the speed limit all the way to Church and back.
Looking back at this now, I realised that this caused some stress, not just in my life, but the lives of those around me on the highway as well. Let me explain...
Distance between Church and home is about 40km. About 30 of that is highway. About 15km of the highway is currently under construction of some kind or the other. One part of the highway is being widened, while another part of the highway is being disrupted because of the (in)famous Gautrein project between Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Normally the speed limit on the first and last part of the highway is 120km/h, while the piece in the middle is 100km/h. With the construction in progress, parts of the highway have an 80km/h speed limit.
On the way to Church, it was interesting to see my two teenagers checking the speedometer every now and then to see whether dad would keep to his promise, because they made noises like: "Yeah, right!", and "Let's see how long this lasts!" before the journey began.
Second thing that really made an impression on myself and the kids, was the fact that the old saying of: "Slow and steady wins the race" got a whole new spin yesterday. I wound up in the Midrand area at the same time as a lot of the cars that were "racing" eachother on the highway all around us. Some of these cars were changing lanes up to 5 times per km to try and get ahead!
However, the real revelation came when we were on our way home. I was watching my rear view mirror WAY more than I was watching the road ahead of me. I was staying in the slow lanes of the highway, because that is the thing to do, but people were constantly charging down on me. Some of them narrowly missed running into the back of me...All in the name of getting wherever they were going quickly.
I also realised how many people on the roads were getting upset because I was "holding them back" and preventing them from making progress towards whatever goal they had set themselves. All of this while I was actually being a "Law abiding Citizen" who was intent on not breaking the laws of the road!! Amazing how impatient people get when you actually do what you're supposed to.
Makes me wonder about people's attitude towards the law...Very much like the taxi that ran a red light (not the normal way, either, but just not stopping at a light that had been red for about a minute already!) while the Policemen in the marked police car behind me just sat and shook their heads at him, instead of actually chasing him down and arresting him for reckless and negligent driving.
Must be because it was Sunday afternoon and everyone takes a nap then...
Looking back at this now, I realised that this caused some stress, not just in my life, but the lives of those around me on the highway as well. Let me explain...
Distance between Church and home is about 40km. About 30 of that is highway. About 15km of the highway is currently under construction of some kind or the other. One part of the highway is being widened, while another part of the highway is being disrupted because of the (in)famous Gautrein project between Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Normally the speed limit on the first and last part of the highway is 120km/h, while the piece in the middle is 100km/h. With the construction in progress, parts of the highway have an 80km/h speed limit.
On the way to Church, it was interesting to see my two teenagers checking the speedometer every now and then to see whether dad would keep to his promise, because they made noises like: "Yeah, right!", and "Let's see how long this lasts!" before the journey began.
Second thing that really made an impression on myself and the kids, was the fact that the old saying of: "Slow and steady wins the race" got a whole new spin yesterday. I wound up in the Midrand area at the same time as a lot of the cars that were "racing" eachother on the highway all around us. Some of these cars were changing lanes up to 5 times per km to try and get ahead!
However, the real revelation came when we were on our way home. I was watching my rear view mirror WAY more than I was watching the road ahead of me. I was staying in the slow lanes of the highway, because that is the thing to do, but people were constantly charging down on me. Some of them narrowly missed running into the back of me...All in the name of getting wherever they were going quickly.
I also realised how many people on the roads were getting upset because I was "holding them back" and preventing them from making progress towards whatever goal they had set themselves. All of this while I was actually being a "Law abiding Citizen" who was intent on not breaking the laws of the road!! Amazing how impatient people get when you actually do what you're supposed to.
Makes me wonder about people's attitude towards the law...Very much like the taxi that ran a red light (not the normal way, either, but just not stopping at a light that had been red for about a minute already!) while the Policemen in the marked police car behind me just sat and shook their heads at him, instead of actually chasing him down and arresting him for reckless and negligent driving.
Must be because it was Sunday afternoon and everyone takes a nap then...
2008/05/11
Life is fragile...
According to the blog dashboard I haven't posted or edited anything on this blog since April 21. However, for me it feels like way longer than that since i had posted anything. However, there's a couple of good reasons for that.
1. I haven't had anything good to say about anything. I was feeling a bit down lately and was wondering about "The Meaning of Life" and all that jazz. So...I didn't want to b(l)og anyone else down with my negative feelings and thoughts. (You see? I'm quite considerate sometimes!)
2. Well...that's about the only reason I can actually think of, so a "couple of reasons" is not correct. I don't want to lie to you, so I won't.
I was reminded by a friend that I hadn't posted in a while, since he checks the blog every time he logs on to the 'net. So...here's for you Johan.
This weekend I was reminded how fragile life really is. Those that have read my intro to the bolg will know that I am a "biker", or motorcyclist, as some people would rather prefer to call us. I ride for a motorcylce club, called the CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association). As member of this club, we often get called when there is need for serious help, specifically when there is need for support and prayer after an accident.
This past weekend was another of those cases where another biker, who I've never met, but who lives only three or four blocks from me, died in an accident. He was actually killed in a city about 250km from home, but the guys there phoned me to help the family and friends sort out things from here.
Anyway...the circumstances and so on are not the main issue here. What I realised again while dealing with this situation is the fact that life is very fragile. The old saying of "Here today, gone tomorrow" is not even true anymore. It actually should be: "Here now, Gone shortly after". That's how quickly tragedy can overtake us. What brought this home even more is the fact that the guy that got killed has two kids who are the same ages as my own.
Suddenly I again started looking differently at my own life and how I should ensure that I do as much as I possibly can to make sure that everything is in order, should anything happen to me. I want to make sure that my family doesn't suffer because I failed to plan for their well-being after my death. I realised how important it is to let your kids know that you love them, because you may not return home from that joy ride on the bike, or even that very "un-joyous" outing to the office.
Fortunately, I do know that some of my "preaching" has had an effect on some guys, because a friend of mine (I just heard this today) spent some time at his parents' place and because he had had a few drinks with the rest of the family, he decided to leave his bike parked right there and asked his wife to take him home with the car...Good man!! Little decisions like these can make all the difference to your life, the lives of those around you, as well as the lives of those who use the roads with you.
Anyway...before I get all "soppy" and start sounding negative...Remember this one thing...
Someone out there loves you. Someone out there would like to get to know you better. Somewhere out there is someone who is depending on you to make a difference.
Make each day count and make sure you become somebody that others can look up to and find that role model and hope that they need.
1. I haven't had anything good to say about anything. I was feeling a bit down lately and was wondering about "The Meaning of Life" and all that jazz. So...I didn't want to b(l)og anyone else down with my negative feelings and thoughts. (You see? I'm quite considerate sometimes!)
2. Well...that's about the only reason I can actually think of, so a "couple of reasons" is not correct. I don't want to lie to you, so I won't.
I was reminded by a friend that I hadn't posted in a while, since he checks the blog every time he logs on to the 'net. So...here's for you Johan.
This weekend I was reminded how fragile life really is. Those that have read my intro to the bolg will know that I am a "biker", or motorcyclist, as some people would rather prefer to call us. I ride for a motorcylce club, called the CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association). As member of this club, we often get called when there is need for serious help, specifically when there is need for support and prayer after an accident.
This past weekend was another of those cases where another biker, who I've never met, but who lives only three or four blocks from me, died in an accident. He was actually killed in a city about 250km from home, but the guys there phoned me to help the family and friends sort out things from here.
Anyway...the circumstances and so on are not the main issue here. What I realised again while dealing with this situation is the fact that life is very fragile. The old saying of "Here today, gone tomorrow" is not even true anymore. It actually should be: "Here now, Gone shortly after". That's how quickly tragedy can overtake us. What brought this home even more is the fact that the guy that got killed has two kids who are the same ages as my own.
Suddenly I again started looking differently at my own life and how I should ensure that I do as much as I possibly can to make sure that everything is in order, should anything happen to me. I want to make sure that my family doesn't suffer because I failed to plan for their well-being after my death. I realised how important it is to let your kids know that you love them, because you may not return home from that joy ride on the bike, or even that very "un-joyous" outing to the office.
Fortunately, I do know that some of my "preaching" has had an effect on some guys, because a friend of mine (I just heard this today) spent some time at his parents' place and because he had had a few drinks with the rest of the family, he decided to leave his bike parked right there and asked his wife to take him home with the car...Good man!! Little decisions like these can make all the difference to your life, the lives of those around you, as well as the lives of those who use the roads with you.
Anyway...before I get all "soppy" and start sounding negative...Remember this one thing...
Someone out there loves you. Someone out there would like to get to know you better. Somewhere out there is someone who is depending on you to make a difference.
Make each day count and make sure you become somebody that others can look up to and find that role model and hope that they need.
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