New Roads

I've been stacking up the miles on my Aero. Geneva on the Lake - yep. Willoughby downtown - yep. Geauga County country roads - yep. Peninsula's Winking Lizard - yep. River Road curves - yep, yep, yep. New routes attract me more than familiar ones and that supply is certainly abundant since this is my first year of riding.



I think that at my age it's rather unique to be proud of a new adventure. Perhaps I'm wrong but I believe generally mid-life is routine and habitual. We have our jobs, our families, and our community. Responsibility still reigns. The question is - do we have chutzpah? Maybe any age is a good time to ask ourselves that question.



More than one respected study shows that the being engaged in life, learning new skills and taking more risks equates to being sharper in the mind and more lively in the living. I love the stories that show up in newspapers and magazine regarding centenarians celebrating birthdays at work or at their favorite hang out, with zest and with passion. Even aging bikers are keeping their groove by going three-wheels to help with balance and leg strength. Point is - they're staying on the road and continuing their adventure. Nice.



Now I must admit - I'm not the biggest risk taker. Free falling from anything doesn't appeal. Investing in volatile stocks doesn't entice. Even in my biking I'm wearing protective gear because bandages are a lot hotter than my armored mesh jacket. I like to think I place smart wagers in life. Living edgy but not all-0ut flirting with disaster - though some may counter that marriage and having children are high stake gambles but in that arena I've been blessed. Basically - risk is good for the adrenaline system - keeps the "set in her ways" crustiness away.



Here's your take away today - try something new.

It doesn't have to be motorcycling though I highly recommend it.

Join your local Toastmasters chapter and beat down your fear of speaking in public. Start writing that book you've daydreamed for decades and join a writers group so you experience the critique that will make you a better writer, published someday or not. Free fall, hang glide, start a real relationship, get your degree or learn Portuguese. Doesn't matter what you choose so long as you feel the stretch and sense the risk.

The point is embrace life and get some chutzpah going in your life. Stagnant water is never pretty.