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.
