Bicycling brings this former small-town boy a sense of energy, unfettered personal power, openness and joy hard to find in the big city. Bicycling, literally, has helped me find a new life. I was, of course, trying to find my balance. We couldn't ride anywhere, much less around corners, into and across the wind, through unfriendly traffic, over rough road conditions, et cetera, without it. When I react and let people or circumstances make me angry or depressed, when I rely on others' opinions or my career for self-esteem, or when I blame others for my problems, I have surrendered to external referents and lost my center, my internal sense of balance.
Balance is where it all begins.
We are each responsible for our own progress. Under our own personal power, we can climb mountains, or not make it around the block. While others can give me support, I supply the commitment, energy, and stamina to maintain successful recovery. I have the unique, personal power to climb to serenity, or I can stop peddling and accept the rocky path of half-measures, maybe staying sober, but not really living. Most important, I must start the trip.