Perfect . . . .

   Perfect storm. Perfect day. Perfect ride. They are all different but the same, a situation created by a rare combination or concurrence of factors the alter a situation dramatically. In the case of a perfect storm that combination of factors that all too often results in devastation and destruction. That combinations of factors can result in a hurricane, a tornado, or in our own personal realities, the destruction of our lives and personal realities.

    A perfect day is very similar to a perfect ride, something every biker seeks on each ride out. It is the combination or weather, road conditions, traffic levels, scenery, companions and friends, starting and ending locations, food, drink, and so much more. It is a unique combination that you know you could never have planned, or even dreamed up on your own. A concurrence that you will never be able to duplicate no matter how hard you try, and if even if you could, it will not be perfect the next time because timing is everything.

   The nice thing about a perfect ride is that you can have more than one. It is never the same ride, but given time and patience another perfect ride will inevitably come your way.

   Life does not often throw a perfect situation your way. Life is in fact all about imperfections and the challenges in dealing with them. It is hard to imagine people, who in their very nature are about as imperfect as you can get, getting together to create a perfect situation. Even if they could you just know that someone involved is going to rethink that perfect process - and spoil it.

   We are often encouraged to “go with the flow” as we live out our daily lives, to not push against prevailing behaviour, norms and attitudes. While going with the flow can be a key part of that perfect experience we often fail to realize that truly being part of that perfect experience may mean stepping outside of those accepted norms. It takes real courage to do this. Jim Hightower said that “The opposite for courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow.”

   I recently came across one of those situations. Had I gone with the flow I would have missed out on a “perfect storm” that would change my personal reality. A confluence of factors that, if I let my logical mind get in the way, would have passed before I knew it. Instead I chose to experience and encourage this confluence of factors – the result – a ride (through life) that may not be perfect (because I am unfortunately not perfect (but don't tell anyone else please)) will no doubt be enjoyable.

Fall has gripped us firmly now, softening us up for winter's blow, which unfortunately means there aren't a lot of great riding days left but I wish all my readers a perfect ride, on their bike and in their life.