I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
~ Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
(from favorite book Dune, by Frank Herbert)
I made the mistake of trying to outthink the weather folks Thursday. Their guesses predictions had rain starting Friday. Treating weather forecasts as a step up from divination -and in light of the dry spell that’s made the Golden State so very golden – I figured it’d be safe to squeeze in one more commute on the motorcycle.
By noon errant precipitation dotted the pavement, but evaporated in short order. Nothing to worry about.
Mid afternoon brought consistent drizzle. Enough to coat the roadway. Time to begin worrying.
Departure time brings decision time. Leaving now means riding in rain. I’ve been told that every motorcyclist, at some time, will have to deal with this very issue. The question “It not now, when?” bounced around my brain.
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face… The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it… You must make yourself succeed every time. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
The fact that I’m writing this after the fact reveals that, with care, a bit of strategy and good riding gear, I made it safe (and dry), albeit requiring about 20 minutes more to reach home.
Riding in the rain. Something that wasn’t on my “bucket list.”
But feeling good that I adapted and overcame.
