Last goodbyes and back on the road...

As the dust settles behind the Clive Morris Productions van with the 50/50 crew after our interview, things happened fast. Last minute packing, final goodbyes to families and friends and we were ready to leave on the Ripples World Cup Promo run.

A trip in South Africa to join in on the magnificent vibe of our people, to share our stories and tell people that they too can make a change in their own environment to better the state of our water resources. Also a trip to get Liani back in the swing of things fo being on the road after the accident. With the knowing that this might be a very challenging journey with it being winter and we travelling through the Freestate, Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and back via the Karoo to Johannesburg we set off with hearts filled with passion.

It’s always a rather big shift when I leave the comforts of the comfortable known like where I am sleeping tonight, what and with whom I am sharing my day. Finding the space to calm the overwhelming emotions caused by not knowing what is going to happen or what lies before me the very next 5 minutes in my life. Besides the basic necessities fitted to my bike and Dante sitting in front of me everything changes every second. Dealing with these changes can sometimes be a challenge especially when my thoughts get stuck in the “why did I ever think that I can do this?”, the missing people moments when my thoughts seem to stay with one or a group of people that I feel deeply for that I won’t be seeing for a while.

Its been a while now that I have start to cultivate the habit of stopping and asking myself what, whom, a time in the future or an experience in the past am I thinking about. In the beginning it was in the spaces while I am riding that I would realise what kind of thoughts I am having, these days its even more constantly and in the moments that feel really challenging. Like getting at the end of the day in a rather unfamiliar town where we don’t know a soul or in between towns where the “normally dangerous” places for women are when we have to get a spot to sleep for the night.

Previously I would have been scared and get anxious and feel ungrateful for every little thing. The uneven ground I have to rest my tired body, the freezy cold wind blowing, the dogs barking and making a noise that other “dangerous” people can hear where we are, basically anything and everything. Sharing this personal space with Liani sometimes even put her in the fireline. Making teamwork a bit of a miraculous event. Lots have changed since the accident. Seeing Liani’s breathless body for minutes that felt like an eternity and not being able to hear her voice for 2 weeks made me realise what is really the basic valuables in life. I feel more content in my moments. I am grateful for the wind blowing in my face, no matter how freezing, I am grateful for the way my body adapts when lying on the uneven ground with stones and grass tuffs, I am grateful for every breath I am able to breathe.

I feel lighter yet fuller of life.

Only good happens to me no matter what shape or form the event takes on. My perception change of the event I am experiencing leaving me stunned by the beauty of whatever surrounds me. I realise that I am blessed to be in this moment, no matter how unfamiliar it feels. The unfamiliarity starts to feel like a challeng to know more of the beautiful mystery of being alive. Being able to live fully with my senses in every moment.