Sometimes reality is tough. Life is demanding, dreams don't always come true, and the daily grind can beat you to a pulp before you even realize what's happening. You need an escape.
People escape in different ways. Some turn to televisions and video games where they can zone out of reality for awhile. Some seek an adventure like skydiving or rock climbing to sweep away the mundane. Still others look to much scarier tactics, such as drugs, violence, or alchohol.
I was speaking (texting, really) to a friend/family member of mind recently about a long, hard day I had had substitute teaching. I lightheartedly joked about ending the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day with a few "adult beverages" that would inevitably put me in a deep sleep, or at least stupor. Her reply? "No. No covering up feelings with alcohol." I was teasing. She was serious.
Truthfully, and fortunately, I don't turn to alcohol for my escape; I turn to writing, or reading, or some form of intense exercise, especially cycling. There is nothing quite like sweating off a bad day or a tough week on your two-wheeler. With your legs and lungs pumping hard, there's no leftover energy available for worrying about the day's woes, or venting about life's injustice, or fretting over what the future may or may not hold. It's just you, two wheels, and the pavement. No distractions, no negativity, no financial distress, no family, no friends, no nothing. God's beautiful landscape rolls along all around you, the light of the sun warms your face, your heart beats faithfully, your sweat dutifully purges your body of all the junk you put in it earlier that day, and life, albeit for a moment, is simple.
THAT is my escape.
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