Beep, beep...who got the keys to...Providence. Vrooom!

 The title of this post could and should have been “Old School Blogging”, but given the circumstances all I can think about is the rain so I opted for that title instead.

It’s been a steady stream of mist and spray,  damp and mildly chilly rain, falling all day. Not that way I had envisioned getting started on my ride. It really sucked the wind out of my spirits, but it allowed for some much needed rest and I was able to catch up on some reading. If I ever had any doubts, now is the time to get rid of them and really concentrate on what I’m doing. I need to focus.

Rain, rain go away

Well, June 1st finally caught up with me. The day I had planned and dreamed of finally arrived, the launch date for “Faces for Change Ride”. I’ve replayed and rehearsed this day in my head countless times already and it was met with resistance. Rain, plenty of it…I hadn’t planned on that. How could it be raining?! This is supposed to be the big day! A quick flip through the news channels and weather info gave me a grim outlook on the day. It’s not gonna happen. Not today at least. So, locked away in my motel room I began to plot and plan. I needed some encouragement and I knew just where to find it.

Before leaving, my significant other, Denise, gave me a picture of us and a folded piece of paper with some notes she jotted down dating back to April 27th, 2000 (over 12 years old now). The entire package was nicely tucked away in a zip-lock bag and it was there to serve as a reminder for me. I had glanced over it while still in Dallas and there were several quotes and passages that spoke powerfully to me. I remember telling myself, “This is what I need to read when the going gets tough”. I was right. So I did.

“Whatever happens I can handle it – and if I can’t, I can handle that”.

The first part of the quote is something I’ve been telling myself over and over again. I put it to practice every available opportunity. Today was one of those days that I just couldn’t handle it. Was is hesitance, lack of commitment, unclear goals, uncertain plans, fear? Who knows, but I made a silent vow to not let it happen again.

Frustration and indecision set in temporarily and that’s where the second part of the quote begins to work it’s magic.

Not everything we plan works out the way it is intended. I’m fairly sure we all know that by now. The important part here is to not let Fear and Fear of Failure get the better of you. If you’re putting yourself out there, do it with clear intent. Do it with a clear purpose and focus on the goal. Only then will Providence move in.

Providence as noted by the dictionary is a noun. It’s meaning:
- the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power
- timely preparation for future eventualities

“Old School Blogging”, mentioned at the beginning of this post as a possible title is what I thought of as I read the cursive script. A piece of paper with thoughts and feelings aimed to inspire and uplift was now having it’s second run many years later. What really hit home was the second quote immediately following the first one. This time it’s Goethe (at least that’s what it says on the note). It reads as follows:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Hesitancy, commitment, Providence, decision…of these four words, the last three are the most powerful. Together or separately they each hold the power to trump Hesitancy. Arm yourself with them, make them your slogan, mantra or truism. In a game of “Rock-paper-scissors”, it’s a gun.

If you’re looking to start down a path and have questions as to what you’ll need, give those words a thought and begin it now.

On a lighter note, and as a means to add some humor to this post check out the video here.
Warning, it is NSFW (not safe for work) and contains adult language.

There’s a line hidden in there that sums all this up nicely. But just you miss it, here goes:

“You see a mousetrap – I see free cheese and a fuckin’ challenge”
-Scroobius Pip

Also, make sure to check out the map – June 2nd, 2012 this is the route that I’m taking:

View Bicycling directions to 41 st marks rd toronto ontario in a larger map