Ignore the habits of your loved ones with purpose

„Where are you going mate? No! Stop! This is wrong!" 
No matter how loud I was shouting, he couldn´t hear me. 

This wiry cyclist in a dark blue dress was making the pace this day.
To my surprise he took a left turn, where we used to ride straight.

It took a few moments till I realized, that he heard everything I said.
But he had a good intentions to ignore my complaints.

This other cyclist is called Michael and he is a good friend of mine.
We use to go cycling once a week for a few years now.

When I got into cycling I always explored new roads.
I had to, because I didn´t know any of them when I started.

Even being a a cyclist for decades now I still want to explore these small narrow roads that makes you go curios. But after a few years this curiosity got lost.

Still I had lots of thoughts about exploring new roads, but too often, I drove past them. Every time I drove by some nice unknown roads I felt this indecisiveness. Should I try or should I not. 

My reasonable mind always took over with thoughts like:

·      „I don´t know where this road will take me?“

·      „How long will it take to get to well known place again?“

·      „What if I lose my way?“

My mind was only in for one thing.
The save trip.

"Take the road where you know everything about.
Take the road without surprises." I said to myself.

Obviously I wanted some kind of security.
Or some convenience.
Maybe both.

Michael used to ride like me. He went for the well known roads.
Places where you know what to expect.

A few weeks ago we went on a training ride together that changed my mind.
After 30 minutes he took a left turn into an unknown road.
You know how surprised I was.

This path was totally unknown for me and familiar for Michael.
Because he took action in the absence of clarity a few days earlier.

He just gave it a go and went for this new path. He got:

·      No security

·      No idea what to expect

·      No clue how it would turn out for him

Now as we turn left I am the one who is getting excited.
After a few kilometers, while we are on our way back,
I shared my thoughts with Michael:

„Mate, this is awesome. These roads are so attractive, beautiful and calm.
I am training in these area now for 20 years, but I never took this left turn.

If I only could knew this earlier. I would have had so many more nice rides around this area. Thank you for showing me the way today.“

Michael just nodded before a light smile appeared on his face. He is a man of a few words. When he ignored my complaints, he knew, that I would love the new road.

By the way, it´s true what they say:
„You can lead a horse to water, but you can´t make it drink“.

Today I got inspired by Michael again. While I am on my main hilly route, 
I go by this narrow road to my left. Without thinking twice I take a left turn into the unexpected. 

A few meters later a beautiful road opens up. You can only hear the birds singing.
It´s only you with nature. And this happiness due to new impressions.

Only when I was going past this little pond (see picture) I got inspired to write this blog. Thanks Michael for showing me new ways.

Maybe you can inspire a loved one today to take a new path.
Sometimes it´s not about what people want, but what they need.

This feeling exploring new things, makes life so much more worthwhile.

Be brave and #Act bold now.
It is the only way, to have no regrets today.

With love, 

Max Bormann

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