But a lifestyle?
What an interesting thought. I was having lunch with my fellow Mountain Shadow Riders this afternoon. Talk centered around the happenings and whatnot of our lives...juggling infinite things in a finite time block called a day. It was good to catch up. I did catch heat for not knuckling down and riding....but the roads in my neighborhood still have ice and we had 50 mile per hour wind gusts....so not too favorable.
I did throw out that I was thinking of selling my Harley. I'm just burned out. I am not sure of the hecticness and responsibility of being an officer of the MSR or just all the other distractions of life or what my problem is, but I just don't have the joy of getting out on the open road. Maybe it is winter...who knows.
I do know that I've been kicking around taking up another hobby or finding another activity that I find fun. I've been looking at several options and know that this will be an additional demand on my time.
One of my table mates looked at me and said..."it's not a hobby, but a lifestyle"...but exactly what does that mean? The definition of hobby is: An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure. The definition of lifestyle is: A way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group. Deciding to ride or not ride doesn't change me or my values or the way I will choose to live my life. Riding is not my life...I work in an industry--as like the majority of the folks that do motorcycle--that has nothing to do with motorcycling. The folks that do work in the motorcycling industry--well, they are the lucky ones--if they are indeed doing what they love.
What does that mean? Is it the spirit of brotherhood? Riding in all kinds of conditions? What? What? What? I've done all of that...I've also taught my fellow riders and encouraged them. Hmmmm...
Motorcycling is a hobby as far as the definition goes. But somewhere I've lost the pleasure of riding for the sheer joy of riding and I know I need to find that joy once again. Maybe that does mean selling my remaining motorcycle and taking a break...after all, if I want to pick it up again, I can always buy a new bike. Maybe it doesn't mean selling the Fatboy, but rather taking a hiatus and exploring other things in my life.
Fundamentally, it doesn't change me. I can still ride in the cold and rain and I'm still the same person no matter what. Just because I can doesn't mean that I will...and like today, I can choose to drive instead of being blasted by sand on the road pelting me at 50 mph.
I dunno. Maybe I've never really emulated that particular lifestyle. Does that make me not a biker but a casual or hobbiest rider?
Yeah, if they had to explain it, I probably wouldn't understand. I'm not sure if that is the case. I *do* understand. Yes, there are new and wonderful roads still out there that need to be explored. I don't need to see the same old rallies with the same old type of parties and merchandise although I am glad to see my friends and catch up on their lives.
I think I feel the need to evolve and grow into something more than what it currently is....
That is the lifestyle I want...
Keep the shiny side up...
~The Rainbow Wahine
P.S.....the color change is for you, Jovi...
Grateful for the authentic journey of this lifetime. Appreciate all the experiences and people I have encountered. I am humbled by my family--they keep me real.
8 comments:
WOW!! I was sitting next to you and totally missed that conversation. I was piviting between about 3 different groups of people. Don't sell your motorcycle! I've seen the joy in your eyes when you ride. You are an awesome rider and I appreciate all you have taught me. I wonder that with the job and winter, there's just not much time to ride right now. I'm having the same problems. You CAN have more then one hobby. Find something for the winter when you can't ride. I'm sure once spring/summer gets here you'll get the bug, if not sooner. Let's plan a weekend ride come summer. I'll lead and who knows where we'll end up, lol.
Take Care, Betty :)
Winter can do strange things to a rider.
You will be able to include all that you want to accomplish and deem worthwhile in your life with your riding.
Your riding seemingly gives you great happiness and that frame of mind is wonderful to bring to all the other things in your life.
Oh Christine I also missed this conversation today… I agree with Betty you can have more than one hobby. Do you like to do crafts? I can get you started into rubber stamping… I’m a great enabler! Don’t sell your Harley just yet… maybe your feelings will change once spring time comes.
Aw thanks for the background color change, it’s much easier on the ole eyes. ~ Jovi
LOL..there was quite the commotion going on...I imagine I missed a lot too...thanks for the kind words!
No need to sell the bike now, as the mood will eventually strike you, and you'll want to hang out with your buds.
By reading your posts, I can tell you are a deep thinker, and someone who looks at a bigger picture, and I can see your longing for a greater calling in life. Maybe you'll find something that involves bikes.
Check out my blog (scroll down to "a tale of three motorcycles" entry) and see what happened when we sold OUR motorcycle. It wasn't a pretty sight, and it wasn't cheap fixing our mistake.
I came here from Biker Betty's blog. I'm one of those bikers who climbs on behind her husband to ride; I don't even have a drivers' license.
I think the majority of us go through the same feeling - I know that after I crashed my cruiser and started riding the GSX, I kind of lost a bit of the drive to do weekend riding - dunno why, but I just didn't. It did return after a while like I'm sure it will to you.
Being in a club puts a kinda weird peer pressure on everyone. Everyone in my club ribs me because I admit I put my bike away for the winter. But I attend more rides than they even come close to. You just do what you feel like doing, but don't rush into selling your bike. And don't ride in unsafe conditions just because of peer pressure. we are all too mature for that silliness.
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