Finding Balance in Movement

“And if you feel like you’re falling, just give it some gas — you’ll straighten out.”

Bold words to hear as you’re riding through the countryside of Argentina with not another soul in sight.

My buddy, David, convinced me to do this ride with him — a motorcycle trip through Patagonia to Mendoza and back.

Honestly, it didn’t take much convincing.

I’d caught the riding bug back in 2016, when I taught myself how to ride in the teeming streets of Ho Chi Minh, stopping and stalling in roundabouts filled with seemingly more bikes than people.

At that time, I was just about to embark on a trek through Vietnam and Cambodia with another good pal of mine, Jamie — whose special sense of South African wisdom you’ll hear more about soon enough.

Returning to the hilly roads of Argentina, I was admittedly shook by the immensity of the ride and the landscape before us. It felt particularly weighty on the weaving, winding routes of northern Patagonia.

Still a relatively novice rider, I’d use our short stops to extract any and all insights from David’s plentiful years on the road.

On one of those stops, he shared this particular wisdom with me:

“If you feel like you’re falling to one side or another — especially on one of these pretty hairy turns — then give it some more throttle and you’ll begin to feel the bike straighten out.”

“Wait, wait, let me get this straight. You want me to give the bike gas as I’m falling to near certain death?”

“Precisely.”

“See, the momentum of the wheels spinning faster will correct for the angle of your lean, thereby straightening you out and getting you back upright.

“Just trust the physics.”

And would you believe it; it worked.

Again and again, I was amazed, intrigued, and in awe of how utilizing this cool kernel of truth thrust me toward savoring each turn, each lean, and each road even more.

Fast forward to today.

September, 2024.

Atop another set of wheels.

This one, a Valenbisi bike — a heavy metal, bicycle issued by the city of Valencia, where I’m doing damn near all I can to make a home for myself.

Candidly, it has felt like nonstop effort to secure housing, residency, a reliable workspace, transport, and the semblance of any kind of balance over these past few weeks.

As my mind turns, so do my wheels.

Biking through the city for a mid-day break from the mental gymnastics of messages & calls (todo en español), I hit an especially busy part of town, stuffed with tourists, locals, pets, and strangely adorable, life-size Stitches from the Disney classic.

As I slow down, I notice my body recalling the wisdom of David those many roads away.

Knowing that if I stopped fully, it’d take quite a bit of momentum to get this heavy lug of metal moving again.

However, if I purposefully slowed the spinning whirl of wheels, pacing the pressing of pedals such that momentum may continue to carry us forward, the bike, and I, would remain upright.

Momentum would keep us upright.

And it did.

I crossed that channel of congestion successfully enough. Yet, I couldn’t shake the multiple meanings this remembering had on my life then, and has on my life now.

To stop, in the midst of all of this moving — literal & figurative — would cause more hindrance than help.

But to keep moving, even at a slowed pace, will keep me upright as I come ever closer to crafting a reality of my goals, desires, and dreams.

In all that I am doing, there must be a trusting that motion will offer a balancing of its own.

And it does.

Of course, there are times for true pausing, braking, and stopping to let the vast expanse of recent life experiences settle into the marrow of our bones and slip through the sacred sighs of sincerely allowing ourselves to feel through every knot and nuance of our being.

No set of wheels can be in motion forever; at least not those guided by human hands.

Yet, there is wisdom in knowing when that time is.

This time, now — is for pedaling.

It’s for tapping on that throttle to give it a bit more gas.

It’s for believing in our momentum and trusting in the physics of motion to keep us upright.

It’s for deliberately deciding how to dance with destiny atop two wheels, two legs, or two hands as we dare not only to dream but to move towards our dreams with determined effort, delightful learning, and dedicated movement.

And as we do, may we savor the twists, the turns, the leans, the near falls, the trembling trust that grows within us, and the great, expansive road that opens all around us.

Here’s to trusting in our balance.

Reflections for Growth

Momentum in Life: Reflect on a time when you felt like you were on the verge of stopping, either physically or mentally. What did it take to keep moving, and how did that movement help you maintain balance?

Growth through Steady Motion: How does steady motion — even if slower than you'd like — help you grow? Where can you apply this principle to areas of your life that feel stuck?

Recognizing When to Pause: How do you recognize when it's time to stop and rest versus when it's time to press forward? How can you better tune into that inner knowing?

Invitations for Practice

Momentum Meditation: Spend 5 minutes each day sitting quietly and focusing on your breath. Imagine each inhale as the fuel that gives momentum to your body, and each exhale as a release that keeps you balanced. Allow the rhythm of your breath to guide you through any challenges.

Lean Into Movement: This week, whenever you feel stuck or uncertain, try leaning into the movement rather than pulling back. Make a small move forward, whether that’s making a decision, setting a clear intention, or taking committed action. Trust that even small actions can generate momentum to keep you upright.

As you practice, please feel free to jot down your thoughts and experiences. And as always, feel free to share your reflections directly with me.

Thank you for being here and for sharing in this journey of falling and finding ourselves, over and again. Until next time, please take care, my friend.

Kindly,

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