How do you get from point A to point B? A love story.
When I ride my bicycle to and from work, I take a meandering path that adds at least 10 minutes to my time. Instead of taking busy thoroughfares that travel in a straight line, I take out-of-the-way side streets, bike trails, and little paths nobody else knows about. Through a graffiti-lined tunnel. Down a quiet tree-lined street in a picturesque neighbourhood. Along the quiet river trail where a guerrilla gardener has planted raucous flowers. Behind the local ice cream joint. Past a little waterfall in a tiny park. Along the edge of a golf course where I occasionally stop to toss golf balls back over the fence to the gratitude of the golfer who overshot.
When people ask how I get to work, I try to explain, but I’m usually met with a lot of blank faces when they try to understand the logic behind my wandering journey. When one of my co-workers moved into my neighbourhood and wanted to start biking to work, I took him along only once before he declared that it didn’t make any sense and he’d rather take the direct route.
If you’re looking for logic behind this… well, there is none. It’s not a choice I make based on the utilitarian task of getting from point A to point B. It’s a choice that’s made because it makes me happy. I get to stare at big trees and soak in the scent of seasonal blossoms. I listen to the sound of the rippling river and the bubbling fountain. I marvel at the lush green growth on the riverbank. I watch the birds fly in wide circles overhead. I meditate, I contemplate, I write blog posts in my head. I work my under-used muscles on unnecessary hills. I plan my day. I process the stuff that’s bothering me. I mentally prepare myself for the urban jungle (in the morning) and the demands of motherhood (in the afternoon). I run through conversations (both past and future) in my head. I create. I pray. I do so many other things than just transport myself to my destination.
The truth is, even if it didn’t feel like valuable time for thinking and processing and meditating, I’d still do it. Just for the pure joy of it.
What are the things you do that don’t make sense to anyone else? What “frivolous” choices do you make just for the joy of it?
Hi, I'm Heather Plett. I'm excited that you've stopped by to learn more about how we can make the world a better place through the sharing of our gifts and creativity. I've been thinking about these topics for a lot of years now. Through my work in creative communication, workshop facilitation, fundraising, leadership training, and freelance writing, I've gathered a lot of wisdom and stories from my own experiences and the experiences of the people I've been blessed with knowing.
oh i love this post. almost everything i do is just for the joy of it
at one point i made 2 decisions – to buy out my partner in a duplex we co-owned and to use that space as art space instead of renting it out, and to go to part time work. i was so excited about these changes, it all felt so good. i remember a friend saying “so you are doubling your expenses and halving your income at the same time?” and i said “yes! it’s going to be fantastic!” and it was. the money worked itself out and now, 2 years later, i am certainly happy and also wealthier than i’ve ever been. joy is magic!
I totally get it!!! It’s looking at life as an adventure..or simply a means from A to B!!
You rock…you in your adorable bike gear!!
Peace & Love.
An excellent lesson in mindfulness.