I got hit by a car while riding my bike the other day. I’m pretty banged up—covered in bruises, with a fractured wrist. It’s a frustrating change; I’m limited now, needing a lot of help with even the usual daily tasks. And for at least six weeks, my bike is off-limits, and biking is something I usually do every day.
The accident has caused both fear that some of these challenges might be permanent and a huge sense of gratitude for still being alive and functioning.
Sometimes, I ask myself why I even go outside to ride. I could stay home, use a stationary bike, and get my workout done without the risk. Technology offers everything: virtual views of my neighborhood or landscapes from all over the world, even live interactions with coaches and other riders. But none of that really matches what I get from being outside on an actual bike. Moving through nature, feeling the sun and air on my skin, and seeing other people living their lives around me—there’s something real in that experience that no indoor simulation has come close to duplicating.
So, how am I going to be OK while in pain and not able to do much? Instead of worrying about when I’ll be back on my bike or obsessing over what-ifs, I’m choosing to focus my energy on avoiding an inner dialogue that adds to the pain. I’m staying away from thoughts like, “I wish things were different,” or “Why me?” or “Please make this go away.” I have to stay grounded in the truth, and the truth is, this is a big challenge. Right now, everything takes longer, I need a lot of help, and for now, this is my new normal.
Practicing gratitude and meditation over the years has been like building a toolkit. These practices have raised my patience and given me a habit of talking to myself with useful, supportive thoughts instead of letting myself spiral. It doesn’t mean I didn’t cry or that this isn’t hard; it means I’m not making it harder on myself by adding unnecessary layers of painful thoughts on top of what’s already here.
ACTION: Take a moment to check in with your thoughts. Are you giving yourself a hard time over something you did or worrying about what might go wrong? Try stopping that loop by focusing on your breath for just one minute. This brief pause is a reminder that you can choose what to spend your mental energy on. Practice this daily, and you’ll strengthen your control over your thoughts; choosing thoughts that serve you instead of stress you.
