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Shame Blocks Creativity

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Finding yourself in a spot that’s bad,
Something that scares you or makes you mad.
Start thinking  anew
On what you can do:
Creative thinking’s your launching pad. 

Have you noticed how shame blocks creativity?

I wasn’t going to tell you about this, but
Maybe somebody can relate.

There I was,
At garage door of my destination.

One foot on either side of bicycle,
Well connected with the ground.
And I couldn’t get off the bike.

Leaning to put weight on left foot,
Felt as though I would fall.
Trying to swing right leg over seat
Wasn’t working.
Stuck!

I “straddle-walked” bike toward back of house,
Shouting for Bob or Lindy.
Both appeared.

Bob stabilized my left side.
Lindy hoisted my right leg
Over high seat and cross bar.
I was off and upright.

Need I say that I was feeling
Stupid, Inept, Dumb, Clumsy?
Adding up to ashamed.

Stuck on a bike?
Really?
How ridiculous was that?

After several minutes of harsh self-bashing,
It crossed my mind I had been riding bike with
Quick-release seat.
All I needed to have done was reach under,
Activate the lever that would drop seat.

Without that six inch seat height,
I could have swung my tired right leg,
Cleared the obstacles and gotten off safely.

Point is this:
When I hit a “bad” spot,
The sooner I can take on creative thinking,
Rather than berating myself,
The sooner I can take some action 
That benefits me.

This is way beyond riding a bicycle,
This a a perception shift for me
In any part of my life.

It is / will be a learning process.
Worth the effort.

Hugs.
Lin

Discovery Trail in WA. Trail art installation.
Great!
Reconnect with dear friend bicyclist, Jennifer.
Sign of the times… restaurant table. Hand sanitizer with ketchup.

Lin Bruce
 

Lin McLaughlin Bruce uses stories of her cross-country bicycle adventures post age 60 to inspire and encourage people to reach beyond perceived limitations. In her words, "It's never too late to say 'yes' to bigger things!"

Leslie Schultz - May 11, 2023

Hi Lin,

This post moved me very much–I can relate!

And the photos, especially the one of the field of dandelions, were all thought-provoking and lovely.

Thank you, with love, Leslie

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