Pondering...

[DDT (12)]

Pondering...

Morning rituals observed by this pondering rider have become predictable and rather routine after a fashion. Even in motels and rental units, there is an unofficial list of unwritten actionable items to be followed, and coffee is always very near the top of that list! Only a couple of urgent biological issues prevent it from ever being the very first item...

That first cup of Joe is almost always enjoyed while checking in on the world through this magical window into all things the MSM has decided for us is worth knowing. Then, there is our message board. Yeah, like a most welcome beacon in the darkness, some good news is to be found there, and that is a stark departure from all the headlines provided elsewhere! It isn't always good news, however... even here…

There are the posts announcing serious illnesses, deaths, accidents/crashes, and just plain hard luck. It never fails to remind me that we not only share a common recreational interest, but we also share our lives with each other. Many of our triumphs and tragedies, our joys and sorrows are often laid bare on our forum for all to see...

It soon becomes obvious that our humanness, vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and disappointments seem to be among the wide array of things we all have in common... So much more than simply similar looking scooters or even the shared enjoyment of having our knees in the breeze... Our lives in general are not all that different either… only the particular details vary or differ.

So much in common, yet so different, too. We all have our own unique style and purpose with our riding. Different measures of delight, different preferences, and very different visions of what makes for a good adventure... No two of us are alike, yet most of us have at least remotely similar aspects in common. The one unifying ingredient I see above all others, however, is the fact we're all imperfect beings struggling to make sense of life, and of our own lives in particular.

By not 'drawing the lines in the dirt' too close or too rigidly, by excluding no one rather essentially welcoming everyone, by recognizing human fallibility in the tolerating of modest levels of rudeness or inconsiderate behaviors, and by honestly striving to provide a harmonious environment for kinship to flourish, our visionary leaders in spite of their own humanness and frailties have successfully striven to create and maintain a place for each of us to be ourselves while enjoying the discovery that we are not alone... That a worthwhile life truly is a shared experience. I am indeed mighty proud to be here!

DDT

[nogrey]

Well said my friend!

[Whooray]

What great wisdom you have Bruce. Thank you

[Ice]

Bruce,

As always, your ponderings are those of a wise and well traveled man. Thanks for sharing.
Looking forward to seeing you in the wind again. Maybe this is the year we'll hook up in Idaho.
Ride safe my friend.

[RNFWP]

My morning ritual is much the same. But, it’s always better when I see a new posting of yours 

Mine too... except I tend to skip the MSM and go straight for the good news. 
Sometimes, if I'm not headed out, I'll even put some liquor in my coffee 

Bruce, thanks for the (as always) thoughtful insight.

[f6john]

Got the morning covered, so what’s on the agenda for this evening? We’re having a tremendous day here in eastern Ky but an ominous forecast for tomorrow.

[MotoRod]

I copied and pasted this to a few friends, so they can make fun of me.  There is no way I would have this InSite.  I love your posts, even thought I don't post much in return my friend.  I know so many have said this before, but write book.

[Thunderbolt]

And who woulda thunk as they say that they would have taught 'ol Bruce that kind of learnin in Alabama school systems in the '60's.  Keep on scratchin your noggin my friend I think you are still waking up more recollections to be told about in the next one.

[Valkorado]

Keep on scratchin your noggin my friend I think you are still waking up

He may be still waking up, but we can be fairly confident that Bruce will never be "woke"...

As long as those morning loads of MSM malarkey don't mesmerize and lure him over to the dark side...

[DDT (12)]

I surely do appreciate all of the nice replies and good thoughts expressed above! My OP had begun simply as a 'need' felt to write something... I didn't have any particular idea of what I might pursue, no statement to make or topic pressing on my subconscious, I just wanted to 'say' something... anything... and this is what evolved...

I suppose it is on my mind often, and I can't discount the possibility that there is an unmet need for us to actually say good things out loud about our 'electronic clubhouse' and all the wonderful aspects of the catalyst that has brought us together and kept us around. Complimenting all of the effort and thought that has gone into producing this amazing place for us to come together.

To pat ourselves on the back for our willingness to open-up and expose our 'real' selves to each other. To tell those who have made all of that possible that we truly do admire them and sincerely appreciate their 'gifts'... To express our joy at having stumbled into such a special place, to attempt to tell those responsible for this just how important it has become.

Perhaps just reading of recent deaths along with that of some others we'd come to think very highly of over the years has triggered a deep inner feeling I've had most of my life... That feeling I always get when I read of someone's passing, or worse, when I stand beside their grave and remind myself of all the things I should have told that person... but I never did... Most of us mean well, but we more often than not fail to say to those important-in-our-lives folks just how much they've meant to us...

Anyway, I do thank you all again for your kind words... I truly am proud to be here, ya know...?

DDT

[Charlie McCready]

Bruce, when you print your ponderings you always post them preciously (is that a word?) . Hope you're doing well and getting ready to ramble !! Remember if you're up our way to come on by here !! Be safe out there !!!