Lessons from Trudy: Trust and Let Go
Trudy, my trusted Triumph Tiger motorcycle, teacher, and muse, has come through with more lessons from the road. Last week’s post, Lessons from the Road: Trust the Mystery, described challenges of the Long Road Home moto-book tour. I affirmed my intent to trust the Mystery, the process, accept the gifts, and follow my heart, even when I can’t see where life is taking me.
As if to reinforce that message, Trudy’s shown me that I’ve been hanging on too tightly, trying to exert control when my best action is to let up and let her do her job. According to the technician, it’s unusual to wear out a handle grip. I’ve never done it in almost fifty years of riding and he’s not seen it either. If you look at the photo closely, you’ll see that it contains an Rx—a prescription to get better.
In a broader sense, my worn out grip is a reminder that I’m a co-creator, not the Creator! I don’t have to do it all. Trusting the process means doing my part but also accepting help from others in the seen and unseen world.
Trudy also offered a reminder to trust my intuition. She hasn’t been her usual perky self for some time. In Portland and Seattle, her engine was cutting out at slow speeds in heavy traffic, adding stress to a ride already full of sensory bombardment. I attributed it to heat, bad gasoline, or not shifting properly, a ridiculous thought since this is a new occurrence.
So while the technician fitted her with new grips, I asked him to check out her other symptoms. Sure enough, there was a logical explanation, which makes perfect sense. I may humanize her but she’s still a mechanical marvel. The folks at Island Motorcycle Company were fantastic and fit her into their schedule to do what needed doing.
How often do I discount messages from my body telling me to slow down, rest, or whatever else it’s trying to advise? Intuition is always right. Why is it so hard to listen?
Trudy and I have many miles to cover both on this trip and beyond and we both need to be in top shape. If I neglect to do that, I’m sure she’ll remind me. I just need to listen and take action.
What life lessons have you needed a visual reminder for lately? Share in the comments!
Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.
My recent life lesson was a nail in the rear tire. I haven’t been feeling the zen to do much lately with regards to big rides and have develpoed a bit of apathy towards it, there are a couple of reasons for it, but most of it is just the need for down time and needing balance. For the last 4 1/2 years I’ve been working fulltime and then teaching riding weekends pretty much all riding season. Last year I maxed out and was exhausred by the time our training schedule ended, but was still on the regular work treadmill. I also taught February to May this year and decided I needed the summer off and have to say it has been a welcome rest and is helping me to appreciate the simple joy in riding again. I may have to figure how to mentor riders in a non-teaching role as I am at the time in my life where I have more days behind me than in front of me. So the key is going to be striking balance.
So nice to meet you in person last evening Darlene, although you feel like an old friend. All the best in your unfolding journey! One thing’s guaranteed – it will be an adventure. You just don’t know the nature of that adventure.
Ironically a senior dog that I am dog sitting. Lately I have been feeling down over a heel injury that has limited my ability to run. So much of my confidence and self esteem has been tied to my running and physical abilities.
This senior dog is 14 and has no teeth. Her tongue hands out of her mouth. She also has a series of tumors that need to be biopsied. She walks very slow… YET her tail keeps wagging and I swear she is smiling when she greats me at the door.
She reminded me that atitude is everything…. which is a good thing as I almost canceled a motorcycle camping trip next week thinking I couldn’t do it!
Great story – and I love your response. Lessons are all around us, especially from our animal friends. Who we are doesn’t change because of external attributes – like our looks, or our health, or any roles we take on. Have a fabulous camping trip!