“Your feet will take you where your heart is.” - Irish Proverb

 

Recently I have been struggling with what to write about, writers block if you will, or maybe it’s just because I don’t feel there have been any earthshattering occurrences to write about, no new happenings in my life.  I legitimately hit a lull.  In spite of this, when I went for a bike ride this morning, the words just started coming back to me.  As soon as I hit my bike path by the lake, my brain was being assaulted, a cluttering in my head of all different notions that I needed to get down on paper. I’m not sure if it was because the blood was at long last gushing to my brain once again, or if it was just the ambiance, the beauty of fall.  Whatever it was, I found myself overcome by positivity and the need to articulate my thoughts.  Good thing I have a blog for that, the perfect outlet for my emotions and positive experiences, so as soon as I got home I began composing on my keyboard once more.

Who knew that a little old bike ride would change my perspective on the day?  I woke up this morning groggy and ready to pull the covers back over my head, not incredibly enthusiastic about much of what was to come for the day.  I launched into my normal routine, smooched my husband farewell as he left for work, got my daughter ready for school and mentally planned out my day.  Afterward I turned on the boob tube to snag a quick shot of the meteorological conditions coming my way, when I realized the end was near.  Okay, not the REAL end, but from my point of view it’s pretty close.  We have rammed right into that time of year when the temperatures dip lower than my breaking point and there is no end in sight for months. To boot, the weatherman swalked on about how the leaves were already peaking or past their peak, in our little part of the world.  I thought to myself, wait where did it go, how is that possible and why haven’t I really taken time to enjoy my favorite season?  In that split second, I hurdled into my comfy workout attire, strapped my helmet on my dome and reckoned it was now or never.  I knew precisely where I needed to go, my newly found bike path by the lake.   Up until this past summer, this trail was merely an unseen gem to me, which apparently wasn’t that hidden to nearly all locals.  When I happened upon it, I was so quick to tell each and every one about this great place, much to my surprise every last one already was acquainted with the route.  Despite that, when I ride my bike there, it feels like, it’s only yours truly and it’s practically in my backyard.

I came across this pathway one day, all by myself, when I didn’t have any place to be, so I just kept riding. Those who know me, know this is out of my comfort zone, given that keeping fit isn’t at the top of my to do list.  For some reason the day I found this route, I altered from my standard bike ride, I just kept pedaling.  I kept telling myself, just a little further, so I could continue to explore the uncharted territory and see what was next.  It was like being a tourist in my own backyard.  This ride is simply stunning and exceedingly serene.  I made numerous jaunts to my new location since that summer day but I’m not sure any of them were as picturesque or as momentous as today’s trek. 

There is an old Irish Proverb that states, “Your feet will take you where your heart is.”  For me, I’ve always been on cloud nine with the sun on my face and the sand in my toes but since I live in the Central New York that bliss is a long way away.  I’ve been considering for some time that I need to vamoose from this area. When I tell people this, I am reminded by them of how spectacular it is here, in the Finger Lakes.  I guess deep down I know this to be factual but I honestly take where we live for granted because I’ve clearly been here at length and it’s just old hat to me.  My bike outing today is an aide memoire of the loveliness I am surrounded by but in no way actually take the time to see. 

At this point in time I am reminded why we settled here, in the first place. There is nothing quite like a bike ride in the autumn.  The entire experience was an attack of my senses; the sounds of the leaves crunching under my tires, the crisp waft of fall in the air, the sound of the breeze whisking through the brittle foliage, the gentle wind on my face, and the sounds of lapping waves on the shoreline below.  The pigments were stunning, the warm yellows, oranges and reds radiating luminously as the sun peeked up over the horizon.  The sun shining amidst them was a sight, not to be missed. The leaf covered pathway was unquestionably stunning.  I took it all in, never passing a single person.  This is my bike path, maybe not every day but today it is mine. Where else on earth can you take a 10 mile bike ride and not see a sole?  Wait, I take that back.  I did spot two deer minding their own business within feet of me.  I must say that I think they startled me more than I frightened them but they were the ones that scampered off into the remoteness.  I caught sight of a few hawks gliding in the wind hovering over the shoreline and I observed various squirrels busying themselves whilst they get ready for the cold months ahead.  It’s mind-blowing what you observe when you take the time to notice.  During my exploration of my new found terrain, I found the most pleasant place to park myself, to collect my thoughts, be with nature, bring the whole shebang into perspective and simply center myself. 

I know that might have been my final cycle of the season, given that the chilly part of fall is upon us.  With the nights drawing in, making it dark earlier and earlier, there is a chill in the air, bringing to our attention that it is time to add blankets to our beds.  It’s the time of year to snuggle in with our loved ones and be cozy.  Flip flops and swimsuits have been swapped with boots and layers.  As I said before, the end is near (can you tell, I’m not a fan of the cold weather).  It might be time for a shift in season but I already look forward to when the balmy conditions return.  Come spring, you can be sure that this corridor by the lake will be my place to reflect and have serenity.  Goes to show you that if you take a few minutes to realize the magnificence that encompasses you every day, you might be flabbergasted and wonder how you missed it before. 

It is said that you create your own calm. This is my spot, a location I go alone, it will forever be my path by the lake, a whereabouts to get away from it all and center myself, my own calm. Take time to find your place.  That space that inspires you, that gives you clarity, which gives you stillness and is just yours.  Who knows you might even find your spot in your own house, neighborhood or your own backyard?  Find your spot and everything will be right in your world, I promise.  We all need to stop worrying about what we don’t have and give more attention to what we do.  Sure I’d like to be someplace else more times than not.  I can hear that tropical island calling to me right now and as the Irish say my feet will take me where my heart is.   Today my heart is here on this path by the lake, but who knows where it will be tomorrow?  Ask me again in the winter and my heart will most definitely be elsewhere but in the meantime I found this place that is my treasure and today ALL is right with my world.  Today, my feet took me where my heart was, smack dab in the middle of my favorite season FALL, in the heart of the Finger Lakes.  Instead of worrying about what is to come in my future, I was completely present today, and where I live is nothing short of breathtaking.  Maybe Dorothy was right, “There is no place like home.”