This blog introduces you to my special brand of BIKE. I show you how to find your Best self, access your Inner strength, tune in to your Killer instincts, and use your Expressive voice. It's inspiring, spiritual, quirky, and it's all in your head. It's about ATTITUDE, not exercise, though that might be a side benefit.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Recovery: Starting over

I begin teaching a series of BIKE LESSON classes tonight at a homeless shelter here in Phoenix called Homeward Bound. I'll spend the next five weeks introducing 10 women to my BIKE philosophy. They live temporarily in the shelter while they get their lives together. Some of them will be recovering from addictions. Some of them will have escaped an abusive partner. Most of them have young children. None of them can make it on their own just yet. They are all starting over.

Because I've "been there done that," I approached the organization, thinking I might have something to offer these women. The executive director agreed. So I volunteered to teach there last year. They sent 8 women to me, and five stuck it out. I really enjoyed working with them and felt I had a connection with them. I'm not sure what happened when I left. The shelter has scheduled a reunion day with the women from my first class in six weeks, after this new session ends. I'm looking forward to that. One of the women in that first year told me she wanted to do what I'm doing--that is, teach other women how to live a better life. And I saw that she actually was. I can't wait to see her and get a chance to catch up.

What I want to instill in their minds more than anything else boils down to one word: hope.

When you're starting over, starting fresh, if you don't have hope that things will get better, you're already behind.

In your worst moments, let's discuss today how you connected with that word. Where do you think "hope" comes from, and how can you manifest it in your own life? Do you agree with what I believe, that it's a spiritual thing?

4 comments:

lisa waterman gray said...

I do think it can be a spiritual thing but I also think it may require 'will' - making a conscious effort, each day, to strive for hope.

lisa waterman gray
http://visualtraveler.blogspot.com
http://crossingkansas.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

True, Lisa. Spiritualism also requires this conscious effort. Don't you think?

joene said...

During my most significant "down" times my hope always came from the faces of my children. They needed me and counted on me and I could not let them down.

Unknown said...

Children are a great motivator, Joene.