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Writer's pictureHeidi Karlsson

Do the sound of your OWN wheels drive you crazy?

Hello me hopeful!


You know that song by the Eagles - “Take it Easy” - they have that line: “Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy”!!


That line came to me while I was walking and biking the last couple of days.


For some reason, I find it easy(ish) to watch my thoughts and then let them go when I’m sitting and very focused. But when I’m biking or walking?? Man. Honestly, I think of all my problems and my friends’ problems and then I try to solve them. If that’s not enough for my brain, I start making up scenarios where someone challenges me about something (that I’m insecure about) and I come up with great answers. I even compose letters to people detailing how I would solve their problems.


Yes. On my walks and bike rides. I should start a “Ask Heidi Anything” column because according to me on my walks, I know a lot about everybody else’s business. No I shouldn’t. It wouldn’t do any of us any good.


So, at this point, walking and riding my bike are good for my body, but not so good for my brain. My own wheels are driving me a bit crazy.





So I have some learning to do.



Hope is funny. It’s not necessarily fragile, but it IS something we have to nurture and protect. Worry and overthinking and fear and anxiety can totally overshadow hope. Some thoughts and ideas grow like weeds. You don’t even have to try. But hope? You have to water hope and watch out for her.


I heard somewhere that when our brain is trying to solve problems for us, it’s like little parts of us trying to protect ourselves. So the idea is, when they come up, when the sound of your wheels (your brain!!) start to drive you crazy, say hello!


Today I tried that. I was recalling something I was angry about and I was re-living the situation in my head (like from 30 years ago!). Instead of going on the mad trail and writing a lengthy angry letter in my head while I rode my bike, I said (yes, while on my bike ride), “Hi Anger. Thank you for bringing that up. I know you get mad because you are trying to protect me. Thank you for trying to protect me. I’m safe. It’s ok to go now.”


It’s a bit cheesy but it works. I can’t pretend the wheels aren’t squeaking. I can’t tell them to shut up either.


I never grew up thinking that the most important aspects of my life would be inside my heart and inside my head. I thought what I did would determine my health and happiness. Turns out it’s everything all mixed together.


Happy Wheeling!


See ya soon, Baboon!

Heidi


PS.

Question: Do you know what is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike?

Answer: The pavement.


Question: What do you get if you cross a bike and a flower?

Answer: Bicycle petals!












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