It’s just like learning to ride a bike
You hear that alot right. Everything is just like learning to ride a bike.
But what if growing up actually was?
I talk a lot about the bigger ideas of life, you know things like the point. I mean it’s not huge, But I feel like most people would consider it a reasonably large topic. Or at least ‘overarching’. It’s easy to look to the big things like trying to find your purpose, define your values, live responsibly deal with change yada yada yada. All good and well meaning. But life isn’t lived in the overarching, it’s lived in the everyday. And I am pretty convinced of the idea that ‘how you spend your days is how you spend your life’. (hang on I thought we were talking about bike riding?? We are, stick with me!) So, whilst it’s nice to think the big things will make the difference (and sometimes they do) but actually it is perhaps more realistic that every small choice matters even more than the few big ones. I like this idea, not only because it makes everyday a celebration, but it also gives us a lot more chance to practice the small things that ultimately become the big thing.
And let’s face it when it comes to the subject of choice, practice feels helpful.
Practice is I think mostly the point. We aren’t born riding a bike it takes practice and a bit of bravery. Which I think is one of the best metaphors for an interesting and varied life. Because it is with both these things that we can find our balance and speed to go places. Of course, there is a chance we are going to fall off, and of course it hurts when we do, but we get through it and learn in the process something about riding a bike. Adulting is 100% this.
Which means the joy of everyday practice probably trumps the ‘work’ of figuring out our purpose and values. In fact, I am almost certain they aren’t discovered but made just like everything else one day at a time.
As a result, I am trying to get more into the everyday. To show up today and make the choices that come my way the best I can. And instead of worrying about not getting it right (because let’s face it adulting and decision making is hard) instead just tick off another day of good practice. Even if all we really practiced was napping. In the end when you are living a life it all counts 🙂