Like Riding a Bike

Supposedly, Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Well, not to disagree with a genius, but it’s not quite that simple, Al.

A lot must take place in order to keep moving. 

Two pedals are required, for example. 

On a recent 100-mile bike ride, I discovered first-hand around mile 45 that when one pedal and its crank are missing, forward motion is impossible.

Trust me, I tried.

No matter how hard you push down that one intact pedal, it will not come back up without the other.

And no matter how hard you try to reattach the dismembered pedal, without the right tool, it simply doesn’t work.

So yes, in life, we must keep moving.

However, sometimes we need to pause.

Sometimes we need to gather the right tools.

Sometimes we need to ask for help.

Sometimes we need to improvise by walking until we can get back in the saddle.

Sometimes we need to lie prostrate on the floor of a building with heat while eating Sour Patch Kids, laughing at our stupidity, and formulating a plan of rescue.

Well, that last one may only apply if you’ve decided to attempt a long ride in sub-freezing temperatures with short daylight hours and a bike that doesn’t want to cooperate. 

Otherwise, forward motion can take on many forms in life. 

I believe true balance is found in knowing when to push through the pain, when to rest, and when to ask for help.

But I did try to ride a bike with only one pedal. So, I'm not claiming to be a genius or anything. 

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