Bike Riding With The Muse
“I thought of that while riding my bike.” - Albert Einstein, on the Theory of Relativity
When you’re about to embark on a creative project, do you have faith that your Muse will show up? Or do you wait for inspiration to strike before you begin?
The more I think about it, the more I realize how important faith is to the creative process. You might have an inkling of an idea - just a sketch - but it’s not enough. You need more - more ideas - but they’re not coming to you. This can be scary enough to keep you from proceeding.
I think the solution can be found in bike riding.
To ride a bike, you first have to get on an object that isn’t moving (like your project). You have to climb on, put your feet on the pedals, exert some effort, and get the thing going.
When you first start pedaling there’s resistance. It’s a little slow and difficult. But soon your effort pays off, because the wheels turn faster and faster and the bike gains momentum. You don’t have to pedal so hard now - you’re gliding. It’s a balancing act; you’re in control, you’re steering the bike, but the bike is taking YOU for a ride.
I think that’s how it is when we trust that The Muse will show up. Once we get those creative wheels spinning, something takes over; something magical that carries our imagination to places we’ve never been before.
Then we can relax, enjoy the ride, and break when necessary.
Thoughts? Leave a comment!
When your riding it’s great. The wind is blowing your hair, the scenery is great. Life is just good. Having a creative burst is almost like a life unto itself that you’re nurturing. When I am in the flow, it is exhilarating. It’s such a high. Creativity is my drug of choice!
Hi Mark,
I love how that works. If we have faith that our muse will show up, it does. And it amazes me every time.
It’s when I don’t have that faith I struggle to find the words (to blog).
Nice analogy, Mark. I can hear Freddie Mercury sing, “Get on your bike and ride!”.
hello.
very good analogy–
bernie
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I know it helped me to write this post!
Hey Mark, What a great example. It’s about getting out of our own way. I am learning that with a lot of things in life. Yes, it requires having more faith but I like that too. It’s a nice feeling to let go and have certain about of trust in life and one’s self. Do all I can and then let go…then things happen. It’s not ALWAYS easy but I have found it to work….just like riding my bike.
You are great at these type of comparisons or examples!!
Hi Robin - you’re right - definitely not easy. “Leap” of faith sounds about right. Letting go of the reigns of control is frightening indeed. Use the Force, Robin!
This is right up my alley Mark. I agree, and add that as a compulsive cyclist/artist, both activities require some effort to get started, and sometimes even more to continue. Often, it’s hard to know who’s beating whom into submission- there’s struggle, pain, heartache, pain, and mind numbing tedium, but getting there in one piece is the goal.
And just when you think you’re done and you swear to god you’ll never put yourself through that again, you wake up the next day looking forward to more.
Dale - who better to comment on this subject than you? Thanks for the thoughts and the inside scoop.