Because, It’s The Right Thing
I haven’t blogged in a while. The dust has, somewhat, settled so I figured it was a good time to get something out there. To be truthful the blog has been having a bit of an identity crisis. I started the blog back in 2012 when I went overseas to Saudi Arabia so that it would be easy to keep family and friends updated as well as have an online journal of my adventure. But then, in 2014, when I returned to the States, the blog started having that identity crisis. I didn’t know what I wanted to post, I didn’t know what message I wanted out there. So my posts were sporadic, I just didn’t want to be posting for the sake of posting. There is already so much hooohaaa out there, no one needed my hooohaaa as well.
I’m a sharer, I always have been, and when an idea sticks in my head and I feel others would benefit from it, or find it interesting, or that it may just reach someone who is in need of hearing a certain message, touch someone who needed a small touch, for I, after all, have benefited IMMENSELY from other sharers. So that’s what I am going to keep doing, sharing what I feel is share-worthy. I think I’m good with that identity.
State Highway 4 is a trans-Sierra route, it’s a National Scenic Byway, and the route runs, twists, and turns through the Sierra-Nevada up to 8,730 ft (2,660 m) as it runs through Ebbetts Pass. But this post isn’t about Hwy 4, this post is about something else. I ride my bike on this rode. It is one of the less congested passes, on a weekday over the course of a 3 hour ride 10 cars may pass me by. It’s a place where whatever you do is really just between, well, you and the highway.
I was on this road the other day and ahead of me, a mile or so perhaps was another cyclist. On this particular stretch of road I could see ahead of me for several miles and I could see he had a great cadence going and he was going strong. I’m not the fastest when climbing so I knew I would probably lose sight of him fairly quickly. And I did on the next curve of the road, I continued along the windy road, mostly climbing and in my own head, maybe for a good 30 minutes when I made a turn and saw the cyclist again ahead of me but this time he was at the top of the hill where he made a turn and came down the hill toward me, we passed each other and I just figured that hill was his turn around point. 10 minutes later he was right along side me, where he slowed down to my pace to say “hi.” I asked him if everything was alright or if he was just doing some hill repeats in the middle of a long ride that had a gazillion more hills ahead for him and he laughed and said “no, I dropped the wrapper of my Fig Newtons and I went back to pick it up.” I was like “for real? I’m not really 100% sure most people would do that. I’m not sure I would do that.” And as we were riding he looked at me and said “yeah, you would, because it’s the right thing.”
He rode with me for about 20 minutes, pointing things out along the road and sharing his wisdom of cycling on mountains.
It’s when no one is looking that we form our character.
This was my reminder that doing the right thing is not always the easy thing. Lets pass it on, next time you’re wavering…. just do the right thing because it’s the right thing.
tahira's shenanigans 
Tahira, you are so inspirational! I’ve missed your posts because you always share insight, wisdom, great words and deeds. This post is another example. Like you, I’ve struggled with blog identity after leaving Singapore and arriving in Vancouver. I started my blog for the exact same reasons as you — keeping in touch and keeping a record — but over time it’s taken on a much bigger place in my life. So I wonder… where do I go from here? My adventures these days aren’t nearly as exotic as the past few years. But I’m learning that it’s more about finding a story worth telling than anything else, even if it’s in my own backyard. Anyway, thanks for taking me up the hill with you in this post and revealing that nugget about life. I can’t wait to read more about your discoveries around your new home. Keep posting — you have a unique voice no matter what you share. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Kelly. Your choice of words are perfect – “finding a story worth telling”. I’ve thought a lot about this since I’ve been back to the States. Why is it that we lose interest when we come home but put us out to sea and we are aglow with insight and interest and adventure? Do the folks in Bali and Singapore and Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka find their backyard as interesting as we do? Or are they looking across the globe? Blogs do have a life of their own, when tended to, and just like us humans they will contract and expand, they have their time of growth and their time of inertia. And we can’t have one without the other – at least I don’t think we can 🙂 Thank you for being part of all my growth and for always having a kind & supportive word during my times of inertia. ❤
Great words of wisdom, Tahira. I can also identify with the blog identity crisis. It’s hard for me to get excited about blogging about life in the USA after living the adventurous life abroad. I loved blogging about expat experiences in South Korea, Oman and China, but now, my heart just isn’t in it. I don’t know either what my message should be. So, I relate. However, you do share your nuggets of wisdom when you have them, and your readers really appreciate your insights, so please do keep sharing. Thanks!! 🙂
Cathy, as I just wrote to Kelly in the previous comment, why do we find life at home so “boring”? Why is life in our backyards not of interest to us? Do the folks in South Korean and Oman and China find their backyards as interesting as we do? I KNOW what travel can do for the soul – I’ve lived it and I’ve done it. My question is how do we bring that “life” to everyday life? Can it be done?
A big question for me as well, Tahira. I’m trying hard to make my life at “home” as interesting as possible, but so far, I’m sadly not succeeding. I do keep trying though and maybe one of these days, I’ll find enough stimulation in my own backyard so I won’t feel this constant need to venture out into the world at large. 🙂
That’s so much like my situation – I went to live in your country back in ’98 and started a blog so family/friends could be updated. When I came back to Australia 10 years later, I kept the blog going for a year or so, and then shut it down through a lack of posts. It had lost its purpose. I just reopened it a couple of months ago, so now I have 2 to manage. :).
I really like your photos and descriptions.
Thank you, Kim. And we are not along these feelings. As Cathy and Kelly above have also mentioned n the comments. It’s like going on vacation – everything is so much more interesting, everything is vibrant and you want to share everything about the place. I think finding that vibrancy in day to day life is going to be my goal. I’m glad you reopened your blog and I’m glad I found my way to it. Now lets find that vibrancy! 🙂
That was a great share, Tahira! And as to the identity crisis, I think you have been sharing great posts 🙂
Thank you, Helen. For always being supportive and kind, identity crisis and all of it 🙂 xx
I love this post. It’s quite wonderful when the “right thing to do” turns into a thoughtless habit. It seems to create a flow that makes things come out better. Great post, keep ’em coming, but at whatever pace works for you! 😉
Indeed t does, Gunta! It’s contagious isn’t it? And I sure will, my friend. I sure will. Thank you❤
Tahira, this was so inspiring to read. As for the blog having an identity crisis… keep on writing! This happens to most of the people who blog. 🙂
Thank you, Cristina. I’m happy you enjoyed it. And thank you for the inspiration 🙂
How lovely to find you and your wisdom here, Tahira. I identify with the blog identity crisis and the need to share, which is why I haven’t blogged in five months (amongst other things!). I must say that I admire the moral fortitude of that cyclist, but I am not sure that I would have gone to all that trouble either!
I think blogs are like their human masters – they too need to contract and expand. Sometimes when we THINK it’s inertia, it’s really just really us contracting in order to expand. And it’s so good to see you here, Sara! Thank you for coming by. And yeah, I know, that cyclist! It’s funny how sometimes one person doing one little act leaves such a powerful impression. xx
No idea what a fig Newton is but I’m impressed anyone can ride a hill, eat and point out pearls of wisdom at the same time.A metaphor for your blog – I can’t wait to read more.
Thank you, Anne. Just. Thank you. You’re compliment means more than you can ever know ❤
Oh. And PS: The California cyclist is a breed all it’s own 🙂
I’m glad you are going to keep sharing your wisdom and inspiring insights, Tahira! I’ll be carrying this with me as a gentle reminder as I go about my days.