Remember when you first learned to ride with no hands? I’m talking the pedal hard, sort of freaked out but also exhilarating, “can-I-make-it-until-the-end-of-street-but-OH-MY-GOD-THERE’S-A-TURN” kind of no hands. Now you’ve either got a huge grin on your face or I sent you back to that one and only memory of riding with no hands. Ouch.

Earlier this week, I decided that I would use working from home as an opportunity to take breaks at certain points in my day. Not only do I live in beautiful Florida, but all the productivity scientists say breaks are a great way to avoid mistakes and protect mental health. Since I read that on the internet, I assume it to be true. Jump on the bike to start the day. Have a big meeting, jump on the bike. Long call? Take a five minute ride. At the end of workday, thirty minutes from a few rides around the block is time well-invested.

Now I don’t know what misfired in my brain today, but I had the unshakable compulsion to ride with no hands. I’m a grown adult with responsibilities, two children with one on the way, health care deductibles, and certificates on my wall. So naturally, I decided it only made sense to try and ride with no hands. As I lifted my hands, this question came to mind:

Why do adults stop riding bikes with no hands?

Maybe there’s a fear of getting hurt for the first time or again? Maybe it’s the responsibility of taking care of others? There’s something standing in the way of the thrill that still exists. Doing something really fun and a little bit risky. By now, you’re probably picking up that I’m talking about more than riding bikes. At some point, adults lose our sense of wonder, thrill, and taking risks. Or maybe I’m alone? Bueller?

Picking up speed and taking my hands off the handles today was a breathtaking reminder of at least two truths that I want to encourage you with.

Past experiences can serve as wisdom for living, but should never hold us back.

If your past experiences are healthy reminders that you couldn’t ride a bike with training wheels, maybe bikes aren’t your thing. That’s just good wisdom. But fear – the kind that stops you from taking action – has no place in our lives. As the saying goes, “a head full of fears has no space for dreams.”

There is so much life yet to be lived!

Whatever your proverbial bike is, get on it and get out there. Have a business idea? Want to start a family? Pick up some speed and get those hands up. Take a risk and do something that gives you life!