I started to cycle to work in the summer. Now, after 800 miles, I have got into a habit.
The thing is that although the journey time is similar to when I took the bus (in fact, now I’m fitter my journey time is even shorter) I find that I have more time to notice my surroundings – to hear, see, smell, feel the environment.
One of my routes takes me through a local nature reserve then along a canal tow path. The great thing is that I can just stop and watch – see the coots paddling across the canal; yesterday I passed a young heron just standing at the side of the path, quite a few mornings we’ve had sunshine and mist – very picturesque.
The way that the morning sun picked out the colours and detail of the trees and the still water reflects the enviroment gives me a much needed boost in the morning. A time to remember that there is much more to life than staring at a computer screen all day. A great way to relieve the stress at the start and end of the working day.
I am not sure that we were really intended to be in concrete and brick bunkers all day – looking at a small patch of sky or people milling around on the busy street outside.
One of the greatest problems in the working environment these days is stress – long hours, not being able to switch off, pressure to perform … getting the work/life balance correct.
Jesus told his disciples to “consider the lilies” – good advice to help reduce the stress of life.
