Hands up if you like to “get on your bike”! That’s great if you do. Not only is pedalling along in the fresh air a fun way to exercise, it’s good for your health. Cycling benefits mind and body. It increases physical, mental and social activity levels, boosts emotional health, improves well-being and strengthens self-confidence. The New England Journal of Medicine, even notes that people who cycle regularly, live longer and lead healthier lives.
Get on your bike. It’s never too late.
There are many benefits to be gained from joining a pedalling brigade. I learned this from the Hobsons Bay Pelicans Cycling Group at the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed, during their ride from Altona to Point Cook Homestead. This young-at-heart community group is not afraid to use their bikes to get out together – usually around their area. They’re proving that cycling adventures can be enjoyed at every age.
TIP:
– Beat the blues of boredom. Challenge yourself. Tackle something new.
– Don’t let “old-age” thoughts hold you back. Reject them. You’re only as old as you think!
– Be mentally active. You never ‘retire’ from thinking and living.
– Don’t measure or limit the good you can accomplish. It’s possible to “…enjoy more than threescore years and ten and still maintain [your] vigor, freshness, and promise.” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p.246
Conquer fear. Get out and about.
While cycling might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the catchphrase “get on your bike” is still a call to be active at every age and stage of life – to break through the self-imposed limitations of age, gender and fear. Doubt in one’s ability can be defeated. No one is “too old” to take up something new, engage in positive, stimulating life-activities such as using a computer to bank online, or riding a bike.
A few years back, I decided to cycle again. During my first attempt since childhood, I suddenly realized that I didn’t know how to stop my brand new, state-of-the-art, ultramodern ladies bike. Just then, an elderly man began wandering towards me. With panicked looks on our faces, and through good fortune more than good management, we avoided each other. It was a traumatic start to my cycling ‘re-birth’. Happily, it didn’t put me off. I’ve ridden many enjoyable kilometres since then.
TIP:
– Don’t be deprived of fun, advancement and interesting activity. Eliminate the “I can’t” statements from your thinking. Say, “I can”. You have the mental might to “get-up and get-going”.
– Build-up your confidence level by being enthusiastic and courageous about taking up something new.
– Use spiritual thought-tools such as trust in a divine Presence to strengthen, help and care for you in every situation. See – The Bible Isaiah 41:10 , I Peter 5:7
– Stop fear in its tracks. It’s never too late to overcome fearful thinking. You have the power to do so.
– Expect to get on your bike – get out and about, be active and confident right now and into the future.
I’m a professional Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher. Through my prayer-based practice, I help people find happiness, health and healing.
Many thanks for supplying the links to the parallel commentaries on the two biblical verses. How interesting to see the different nuances of meaning! It is very encouraging to think about being fearless as we take up new challenges.
Thank you Robin for your comment. Glad you found the Bible verses helpful. Yes it is certainly good to know that we can live life to the full at every age and stage of life. Fearful thinking can’t limit us. We have the ability to be healthy and active always.
When I was growing up I used to ride my bike everywhere on nearly empty roads even doing the shopping for Mum on a Saturday morning. Haven’t ridden a bike for years. Your blog has given me food for thought Beverly. Thank you. Much love Yvonne
Thank you Yvonne for your comment. So glad that my piece has given you some ideas. Good to know that we don’t have to let the “I can’t do it” thoughts hold us back. An interesting, active life is achievable at any stage in life.
Maybe I won’t get on a bike just yet but I do love to see the cyclists riding past our unit early most mornings when I am doing as Paul, that great Apostle encourages us to “exercise unto Godliness” while reading the Christian Science Bible Lesson for the week. I do agree with everything you wrote about not letting the number of years govern our lives, our thinking and our activities. Thanks Beverly
Pam Gasteen
Thank you Pam for your comment. It is good to know that you are not letting “old-age” thinking hold you back. It’s possible to be active at every age and stage of life. And…this is good for your health.