Lifelong Learning

I have always said that the day I don’t have any interest in learning something new is the day I need to depart this earth.

I love learning new things.

I’m an avid reader and reading is a wonderful way to see new places and experience new things.

This whole blogging thing has been a learning experience of the sometimes glorious and sometimes frustrating kind. And there’s still so much to learn.

When I was forty-ish, I decided to learn to ride a motorcycle.

The sum of my motorcycle experience at the time was riding on the back of one clinging to the driver for dear life, and once, a boy from around the corner brought over his mini-bike and let me ride it.

That ride had disastrous results. Let’s just say that if the bike hadn’t run out of gas, I might not be here to tell about it.

My mother was adamant throughout my childhood: no skateboards and no motorcycles. Lucky for me, she was in the house during the mini-bike incident.

I had always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle, but I never thought I’d be doing it in my forties. By then, I had realized that there was a possibility that I would die someday. I did it anyway.

My husband and my younger son, both riders since they were in the single digits, took me to the elementary school parking lot and started going over the basics: the clutch, the breaks, the gas, the gear shifter.

Due to my mini-bike experience, the brakes were of particular interest to me.

Then on to starting the bike: make sure it’s in neutral, open the fuel valve, pull the choke, then “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

I popped an awesome wheelie, but it was totally unintentional and sparked visions of me on my back pinned under my bike, arms and legs flailing furiously…scary stuff.

Despite my general fear for my life, I eventually learned to ride.

During our motorcycle years, we went to many a state rally and even to the Harley Davidson ninety-fifth anniversary shindig in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1998. We usually trailered our bikes to the events.

Except when we went to Augusta. Because it was just the two of us, we decided to ride the 200 miles on our bikes–a no-brainer for my husband who had been riding since he was just out of diapers–but a little daunting for a relative newbie like me.

By then, I had a Harley of my own. We rode south down I-75 into Atlanta to get to I-20. We headed east and my husband (was he out of his mind?) signaled me to take the lead.

Once we got outside the city, there was almost no traffic and the road stretched out in front of us for miles, straight and flat.

Without all the hills and curves, I felt comfortable going faster than usual. I don’t like to drive faster than I can see, but with the open road, I sped up to 85 mph for most of the way. It was exhilarating!

Not long after that, we bought the farm. Five acres adjacent to the property we already owned. We fenced it in, built a barn, bought some cows, and sold the bikes. Another whole new learning experience.

Each learning experience gives me a new sense of accomplishment. Each one reminds me that I am capable of doing more than I think I can. Each one expands my bank of experiences to draw upon when I need an idea or a boost in confidence.

Don’t be afraid to jump in and do something new. The experience might just make your day…or your life!

Learned anything new lately? Have an idea of something you’d love to dive into? Feel free to share with the rest of us!