A couple of months ago the hubby and I set out on a 65 mile bike ride from Angel’s Stadium in Anaheim, Ca to Oceanside, Ca. The decision was completely spur of the moment. It was mentioned on a Friday morning, committed to by Friday afternoon, and we were on our way bright and early Saturday morning. I guess we were feeling a little too routined in our daily life (you know, the 9-5… work, work out, sleep, repeat). So, we figured that this was just the challenge that we needed to make us feel “rejuvenated” again! And let me tell you, there is nothing more exhilarating than sitting on a cushioned train seat after riding for 6.5 hours on a bike seat! That aside, it was, by far, the most challenging activity I ever put myself through… and one of the most “natural highs” I have ever felt, when we reached the finish point.
No, we’re not crazy, I promise you. What we were in search of though was that “natural high.” You know, that exhilarating feeling you get, all over, when you accomplish something challenging, do something you never thought you could, or just something completely out of your comfort zone? It’s the high people seek out when they go bungee jumping, travel all over Europe by themselves, or cut off 6 inches of their hair to donate to a good cause. Yes… that feeling! It’s different for all of us, of course. I mean, I don’t think I would ever go bungee jumping… my threshold for that “natural high” is quite a bit lower, admittedly (seriously, I got that “natural high” when I jumped off of a 6 foot cliff in Hawaii.).
We all have our varying degrees of what it would take to accomplish that state of being. And although it’s not a permanent state (because what state is??) it’s an important feeling to push yourself to once in a while. It challenges your fears, makes you a better person… typically happier and with a renewed perspective in life. Whenever I find myself in what I call a “life rut” I seek out the “natural” highs in life! I challenge myself to change that stagnant feeling and create a renewed perspective in life! I may never be the person who climbs Mt. Everest, but I will certainly be the person who is always looking for ways to challenge myself… whether it’s physically, emotionally, or occupationally! Stay tuned next week for our top 5 ways to break the “life rut!”
{Please excuse the poor quality of pictures! We couldn’t lug the actual camera on the bike ride! We needed all the help we could get :))
