Life Lessons from Motorcycles

Seventy-Five Tips for the Face in the Mirror

Liz Jansen
Copyright 201 Liz Jansen Smash!or"s #"ition $o part of this p%&lication may &e repro"%ce"' store" in a retrieval system' or transmitte"' in any form or &y any means(electronic' mechanical' photocopying' recor"ing' or other!ise(!itho%t prior !ritten permission' e)cept for the incl%sion of &rief *%otations in a revie!+ ,isit my !e&site !!!+liz-ansen+com Cover "esign. Lyn /ishop

Table of Contents 0ntro"%ction Five 1verarching Messages for the Face in the Mirror Ten 2ays to /enefit From 3o%r 4eflection Ten Feat%res to Loo5 for in a Mirror Ten Things That 6istort 3o%r 7erception Ten Lessons on 7erspective From Motorcycle Mirrors Ten 2ays Mirrors Shape 3o%r 7oint of ,ie! Ten 0mportant Things to Foc%s 1n Ten Messages From Mirrors 8c5no!le"gements 8&o%t the 8%thor Stay Connecte"

Introduction
Motorcycle mirrors remin" yo% !here yo%9ve &een an" sho! yo% things yo% co%l"n9t other!ise see+ They a"" val%a&le information %pon !hich yo% can &ase "ecisions that affect yo%r f%t%re+ 2hat yo% see !hen yo% loo5 in the mirror can *%ic5ly change yo%r perception a&o%t !hat9s going on aro%n" yo% an" a&o%t !hat co%l" &e a&o%t to transpire+ 3et' every time yo% loo5 in the mirror' the vie! is "ifferent+ 3o%r environment is "ynamic an" circ%mstances change+ 8t any one time' the vie! in the mirror is a single snapshot that is &%t a piece of a larger p%zzle+ That vie! reflects &ac5 only !hat it9s foc%se" on+ Mirrors that are "%sty or foggy prevent yo% from getting a clear pict%re+ They filter the message s%ch that it9s "istorte" !hen it reaches yo%+ 0n life' people act as yo%r mirrors+ They come into yo%r life to f%rther yo%r personal gro!th an" 5eep yo% safe on yo%r 4oa"+ 2hen yo% loo5 at others' yo% see !hat e)ists in yo%rself+ Life gives yo% all 5in"s of e)periences' many pleasant an" -oyf%l' &%t also others yo%9" rather forget+ They all serve a p%rpose on yo%r -o%rney+ Mirrors teach yo% to honor the past &y learning from it an" carrying its lessons into yo%r f%t%re+ Learn ho! to rea" the messages from mirrors to navigate "eftly "o!n the 4oa" of life+

Five Overarching Principles for the Face in the Mirror

The follo!ing five principles form the &roa" pict%re' !hich gives shape to the messages for the face in the mirror+ Love the reflection. $o matter !hat the mirror is sho!ing yo%' e)ten" compassion an" 5in"ness+ 0n some !ay' that face is yo%rs+ 7reparing yo%rself to serve yo%r p%rpose starts !ith serving an" loving yo%rself+ Be pragmatic. Try not to ta5e things personally' an" instea" loo5 o&-ectively at !hat9s there !itho%t rea"ing emotions into it+ Motorcycles respon" only to fact' not emotion+ Fear can "istort yo%r perspective an" ca%se yo% to react inappropriately+ #ven if yo% can9t gain perspective &y removing yo%rself physically from a sit%ation' yo% can "istance yo%rself mentally an" emotionally+ Reflections change. #very time yo% loo5 in yo%r motorcycle mirror' the reflection is "ifferent+ 3o%9re moving in time an" space+ 7eople come an" go from yo%r life+ 8s yo% learn yo%r lessons an" ta5e on ne! ones' yo% attract ne! mirror images' an"' !ith them' ne! lessons+ Loo s are merel! a snapshot. 0t !o%l" &e foolhar"y to "!ell on mirrors as yo%9re ri"ing+ Li5e!ise' it9s %n!ise to foc%s too m%ch attention on the reflection from others+ 8s vital as mirrors are in 5eeping yo% safe' most of yo%r time sho%l" &e spent loo5ing ahea" an" follo!ing yo%r o!n inner g%i"ance+ "ou# too# are a mirror. J%st as others reflect yo%r strengths an" fla!s' so' too' "o yo% reciprocate !ith a response+ Try changing yo%r response' an" o&serve the "ifference "oing so ma5es in them+ 8ccept !hat yo% see in the mirror an" %se the opport%nity for self-"iscovery an" personal gro!th+ 0f yo%9re not happy !ith yo%r reflection' ta5e positive action an" !atch the reflection change+

Ten $a!s to Benefit From "our Reflection

Mirrors reflect !hat yo% can9t other!ise see+ 1n a motorcycle' they tell yo% !hat9s approaching from &ehin"' an" allo! yo% to react appropriately in the present an" prepare for the f%t%re+ They9re cr%cial to 5eeping yo% safe on the roa"+ 0n life' people are yo%r mirrors+ ,ie! them as teachers' an" &e open to their lessons+ 1+ Clean the mirror. 0f the information coming &ac5 to yo% is going to &e %sef%l' the mirror m%st &e clean+ 0f yo%9ve -%st &een thro%gh a storm' the rain an" m%" on yo%r mirrors !ill o&sc%re yo%r image+ #motional filters "o the same things in yo%r relationships+ 4ecognize that if yo%9ve -%st &een thro%gh an %psetting sit%ation' it can "istort yo%r perspective on the sit%ation+ %ccept it. Mirrors "on9t lie+ 8s %ncomforta&le as it may &e' accept !hat they sho! yo%+ :%alities in others may &e magnifie" to get the point across' &%t accept that !hat yo% see in others e)ists in yo%+ %c no&ledge admirable traits. 2hat is it a&o%t a certain person that leaves yo% feeling goo" a&o%t yo%rself; These are strengths inherent in yo% as !ell+ /%il"ing on them !ill f%rther yo%r gro!th+ %c no&ledge blemishes. 0t9s m%ch more "iffic%lt to accept o!nership of *%alities yo% "isli5e+ 4ecognize that these imperfections are areas that nee" attention+ 1ften they are lin5e" to %nconscio%s or %nresolve" iss%es+ Loo at the big picture. 8voi" getting &ogge" "o!n in "etails+ Shift yo%r perspective to &e open to !hat9s reflecte" &ac5 to yo%+ 0f yo% 5eep attracting people yo% "on9t li5e to &e aro%n"' yo%9re not getting it+ Feelings of anger' hatre"' or irrita&ility are li5ely a response to *%alities in yo%rself yo% "on9t li5e+ 0"entify the patterns' incl%"ing !hat prompts them to sho! %p+ Identif! success strategies. 3o% may &e pleasantly s%rprise" to %nearth a"mira&le *%alities yo% !eren9t a!are of in yo%rself+ Spen" most of yo%r time "eveloping these strengths+ 2hile yo% nee" to a""ress areas for improvement' "on9t spen" inor"inate amo%nts of time here+ Ten" to them so that yo% can resolve them an" move on+ 'nact success strategies. 3o% can spen" lots of time analyzing' "issecting' an" rationalizing+ 8t some point' the r%&&er nee"s to hit the roa"+ 6o something+ Ta5e a step+ #ven if it9s a &a&y step' yo%9re one step closer to s%ccess+ Reflect &hat !ou(d li e to see. This is an interesting an" f%n e)periment to try+ 2hile having a conversation !ith someone' ta5e note of his or her facial e)pression+ 0f they &egin to loo5 !orrie" or %pset' recognize they9re reflecting !hat they see in yo%+ 8"-%st yo%r e)pression an" !atch their face change+

Monitor progress. 0t "oesn9t %s%ally happen overnight' &%t if yo%9re committe" to gro!ing an" learning from yo%r e)perience' yo%9ll see a change over time+ 7eople come an" go from o%r lives+ 8s yo% progress' yo%9ll attract ne! mirror images+ Replace them. 2hen mirrors have o%tlive" their %sef%lness' it9s time to replace them+ This can &e very "iffic%lt in life+ There are times yo% have to ma5e a conscio%s "ecision to part !ays !ith someone+ #ven !hen yo% 5no! it9s &est for &oth of yo%' it can &e heart&rea5ing+ Loo5ing in the mirror can &e an eye-opening an" h%m&ling e)perience+ 3o% are here to gro! an" flo%rish+ The people yo% meet along the !ay are yo%r teachers an" reflect &oth yo%r strengths an" sha"o!s+ Learning lessons from mirrors f%rthers yo%r spirit%al gro!th an" 5eeps yo% safe as yo% travel yo%r 4oa"+

Ten Features to Loo for in a Mirror

/y reflecting information yo% !o%l" other!ise not have' mirrors act as important safety feat%res+ That information forms the &asis for "ecisions that affect yo%r f%t%re+ 7eople are yo%r mirrors in life+ 3o% !ant to &e loo5ing in the mirror that9s going to give yo% a vali" reflection(one yo% can %se to ma5e the &est possi&le "ecisions for yo%r life+ 1+ )ni*ueness. The information reflecte" &ac5 is for yo% alone' %ni*%e to yo%r partic%lar place in time an" space+ Foc%s it &y "etermining its relevancy to get the most meaning for yo%+ /e open to the tr%th that everyone is yo%r mirror' !hile see5ing o%t those !hose opinions yo% tr%st+ +rag. The &est mirror choices are aero"ynamically s%ite" to yo%r &i5e+ 7oor "esign can create "rag' re"%cing the f%el efficiency of yo%r &i5e+ 0n the same !ay' choosing to accept a"vice from the !rong person can !eigh yo% "o!n rather than facilitate yo%r path for!ar"+ ,i-e. The reflective s%rface nee"s to &e large eno%gh to give yo% vali" information+ Most -%ris"ictions reg%late this+ 2hen processing fee"&ac5' ma5e s%re yo% have eno%gh information to get a complete pict%re+ ,hape. Conve) mirrors offer a !i"er vie!ing range' &%t they ma5e vehicles appear f%rther a!ay than they really are+ #ven !hen accepting opinions from tr%ste" a"visors' remem&er that they are seeing yo%' yo%r sit%ation' an" the !orl" thro%gh their o!n filters an" perspectives+ ,t!le. 0t "oesn9t matter !hether it9s shape" li5e a !ing' a "ice' or a s5eleton(the s%rface still reflects &ac5 !hat it9s foc%se" on+ Spirit "elivers messages in the most s%rprising !ays+ 4%le o%t nothing+ /e receptive to all+ Blind spots. 3o% can &e so intent on foc%sing yo%r mirror to get the proper rear vie! that yo% neglect the fact it9s &loc5ing yo%r for!ar" vie! of the roa"+ 0t9s easy to s%&conscio%sly &loc5 information yo% "on9t !ant to "eal !ith' &%t this information co%l" &e vital to yo%r !ell-&eing+ Magnetism. 3o%r &i5e9s shape an" aero"ynamics !ill infl%ence ho! "irt' "%st' an" rain are attracte" to yo%r mirror+ $ot only can this &e annoying' it "istorts yo%r perception' creating a potential hazar"+ 2atch ho! yo% pic5 yo%r mirrors in life+ 1&serve !ho else is attracte" to them an" !hat this implies for yo%+ Follo! yo%r int%ition+ Fle.ibilit!. Mirror hea"s on many &i5es' especially sport &i5es' fol" &ac5!ar" or for!ar" to protect the mirror in tight spaces+ Those !ho tr%ly care a&o%t yo% can roll !ith the p%nches+ They9re there for yo% to act as mirrors sho%l" yo% nee" them' &%t !ill get o%t of the !ay !hen appropriate+

/ersatilit!. Motorcycle mirrors can "o "o%&le "%ty !hen t%rn signals are a""e" to the inner or o%ter e"ge+ 3o%r closest frien"s an" tr%ste" a"visors are more than mirrors to yo%+ They9re an important part of yo%r s%pport system an" are there for yo% !hen yo% call on them+ Transparenc!. <o! !ell is the mirror reflecting !hat9s in front of it; 0f its s%rface is "egra"ing' it can9t give yo% an acc%rate message+ 0f yo%r mirrors in life are ca%ght %p in iss%es of their o!n' they can9t help yo%+ 3o% can9t co%nt on them to &e acc%rate+ 0t9s nat%ral to gravitate to the mirror styles' shapes' an" sizes yo% li5e' sometimes overloo5ing !hether they give yo% the &est information' s%it yo%r p%rpose' or f%nction in yo%r &est interest+ 2hether yo%9re choosing mirrors for yo%r motorcycles or for yo%r life' select those that are right for yo%+

Ten Things That +istort "our Perception

Motorcycle mirrors play a 5ey role in 5eeping yo% safe on the roa"+ Lens shape' cleanliness' fog' an" rain"rops act as filters an" "istort or o&sc%re the image coming &ac5 at yo% from mirrors+ The same thing happens !ith the reflection coming &ac5 to yo% from other people+ 0f yo% "on9t see the image clearly' or if yo% mis%n"erstan" !hat9s coming &ac5' yo% !on9t learn the lesson+ Mirrors' !hether glass or h%man' "eliver messages li5e any other form of comm%nication+ The mo"el is simple+ There9s a sen"er =mirror> an" a receiver =yo%>+ 0n &et!een are filters an" "istortions that interfere !ith the "elivery of the inten"e" message+ 1+ +esire. Li5e the photograph that sho!s a 5itten loo5ing in the mirror an" seeing a ferocio%s lion' or the a"age ?Love is &lin"'@ there are times !hen yo% !ant something so &a"ly yo% overloo5 !hat9s really there+ 2+ '.perience. T!o motorcycle ri"ers traveling together !ill see "ifferent things in their mirrors+ #verything that9s happene" to yo% forms a filter that affects ho! yo% vie! life+ J%st as others cannot see thro%gh yo%r eyes' yo% cannot see thro%gh theirs+ Cultural upbringing. 8s soon as yo%9re &orn' the training &egins+ 3o%r parents train yo% accor"ing to the &eliefs an" norms of their parents+ This &ecomes "eeply ingraine" in yo%r s%&conscio%s an" acts as a strong filter thro%gh !hich yo%r perceptions pass+ Opinions of others. Most people mean !ell' &%t !hen yo%9re as5ing their a"vice on anything' recognize that their perception comes thro%gh their filters' an" they spea5 from their e)perience an" perspective' not yo%rs+ Media. ,i"eo games' television sho!s' an" movies are entertainment+ They are ma5e-&elieve' not reality+ 3et' it9s easy to &ecome "ra!n in &y them an" insi"io%sly "evelop an altere" perception of !hat9s tr%e+ Sh%n violent vi"eo games an" t%rn off the T,+ Aet o%tsi"e for a hi5e !ith a frien" instea"+ Patterns. 3o% "evelop !ays of "ealing !ith things !itho%t conscio%sly realizing yo%9re "ealing !ith the same iss%e -%st !ith "ifferent players+ 3o% may 5eep en"ing %p in %nhealthy relationships !itho%t seeing yo%r role in the pattern+ 8c5no!le"ging the pattern is the first step to correcting it+ 4emem&er' those partners are yo%r teachers+ Relativit!. The people !ho get the greatest reactions from yo% an" those !ho yo%9re most sensitive to are generally yo%r greatest teachers+ 2hy else !o%l" they elicit s%ch a strong response;

+efense mechanisms. 3o% may not li5e !hat yo% see in the &ehaviors of those aro%n" yo%' an" either rationalize them or ref%se to accept that those &ehaviors are also in yo%+ 1ver the years' yo%9ve "evelope" coping mechanisms+ 8ltho%gh they protect yo%r ego' they9re not necessarily in the &est interest of yo%r personal gro!th+ Feeling over&helmed. 3o% can get ca%ght %p in heavy traffic an" &e so intent on !hat9s happening ahea" of yo% that yo% forget to chec5 yo%r mirrors+ 0t9s the same as !hen yo%9ve got a lot going on in yo%r life+ 6%ring chaotic times' yo% forget that those aro%n" yo% are trying to teach yo% something a&o%t yo%rself+ ,tress. 3o%9re recovering from recent physical or emotional tra%ma' or yo% have a "ea"line looming at !or5' an" that9s all yo% foc%s on+ 3o% glance at the mirrors' &%t yo% really "on9t see !hat they9re telling yo%+ Slo! "o!n an" &reathe+ Listen to yo%r inner voice' an" let it g%i"e yo%+ 1&-ects in mirrors are physically an" emotionally closer than they appear+ The image coming &ac5 to yo% from other people is acc%rate+ Li5e &ea%ty' perception is in the eye of the &ehol"er+ 3o% have the po!er to "eal !ith !hat mirrors are telling yo%+ <o! yo% "eal !ith it is %p to yo%+

Ten Lessons on Perspective From Motorc!cle Mirrors

8s a r%le' street motorcycles have t!o mirrors+ /oth provi"e ongoing critical information %pon !hich yo% ma5e "ecisions that affect yo%r safety+ ,ital an" revealing as they are' the information stream they provi"e is only one "ata point an" m%st &e consi"ere" in the conte)t of everything that9s going on aro%n" yo%+ 0n yo%r non-motorcycle life' %sing perspective an" fee"&ac5 from m%ltiple so%rces is essential to getting a complete pict%re %pon !hich to &ase "ecisions+ 1+ +iscern the crucial from the merel! incidental. 0t9s not necessary to ta5e note of everything yo% see in yo%r mirror+ 3o% !ant &ig-pict%re "ata rather than %nnecessary "etails+ Foc%s on "etails in yo%r mirror !hile ri"ing an" yo%9re li5ely to crash+ Foc%sing on them in life can get yo% over!helme" very *%ic5ly+ 2+ Process &hat(s happening. Bnless safety is at ris5' "on9t act rashly or ma5e *%ic5 -%"gments+ Ta5ing the time to process information is an important s5ill for forming a &roa" pict%re' 5eeping things in conte)t' or gaining perspective on a choice+ C+ %d0ust !our mirror. 3o%r mirror9s not provi"ing constr%ctive information if it9s foc%se" on the s5y+ Similarly' yo% may &e receiving irrelevant information if yo%9re getting it from someone !hose "estination is "ifferent from yo%rs+ Consider the angle. 3o% can only ta5e in so m%ch thro%gh yo%r mirrors' so yo% a"-%st them to foc%s on !hat9s important+ Foc%s is e*%ally important !hen yo%9re !or5ing to!ar" goals+ Deep yo%r attention on !hat !ill ai" yo% on yo%r !ay' rather than &eing "istracte" &y e)traneo%s "etails that %s%rp yo%r energy+ Loo for &hat !ou don(t see. Mirrors provi"e a snapshot of !hatever they9re foc%se" on+ Sho%l"er chec5s s%pplement the vie! an" a""ress &lin" spots+ 2hen yo%9re ma5ing "ecisions' especially those !ith potentially significant conse*%ences' loo5 &eyon" !hat9s o&vio%s to !hat yo% "on9t see+ Recogni-e that surroundings change. #)perts recommen" yo% chec5 yo%r mirrors every five secon"s+ 3o% an" the vehicles &ehin" yo% are moving+ 3o% forget !hat yo%9ve glance" at' ne! tho%ghts have come into yo%r min"' an" the ne)t time yo% loo5' it9s thro%gh a "ifferent filter+ 0t9s the same in life+ $o sit%ation is static' especially !here others are involve"+ Ta e movement into account. 3o%' an" most things aro%n" yo%' are moving+ They9re moving at "ifferent spee"s an" approaching yo% an" each other at "ifferent velocities+ 2e can9t ass%me they9ll &e in the same place they !ere !hen !e loo5e" last+ #very time yo% loo5' yo%9ll see something "ifferent+ Ob0ects are larger than the! appear. Sometimes the message has to &e e)aggerate" for yo% to get it+ 1&serving gross fa%lts in others may &e necessary

for yo% to see a similar &ehavior in yo%rself+ 0t9s presente" as larger than life to catch yo%r attention+ Consider &hat others are seeing. #ven if yo% "on9t thin5 a&o%t e)actly !hat they9re seeing' ac5no!le"ge that' -%st li5e yo%' their perspective is changing too+ <o! =an" if> they vie! yo% changes in the conte)t of !hat they9re "ealing !ith at the moment+ Thin of the situation as a pu--le. 2hat yo% see in the mirror is &%t one piece+ 1nly !hen yo% have a sense of the pict%re as a !hole !ill yo% 5no! ho! it all fits together+ 0t9s har" to imagine that yo% miss more of !hat9s right in front of yo% than yo% see' or that yo%r o!n reasoning is &iase"+ Learning to gain perspective on !hat9s constr%ctive' essential' an"(more importantly(ho! it9s connecte" to the !hole moves yo% safely an" "eftly along yo%r 4oa" to empo!erment+

Ten $a!s Mirrors ,hape "our Point of /ie&

Thro%gh the e)periences of yo%r past' mirrors teach life lessons an" shape yo%r point of vie!+ /%t foc%s on them too m%ch an" yo% miss the present an" ris5 the f%t%re+ 2itho%t saying anything' mirrors convey a lo%" message+ 2itho%t "oing anything' they help 5eep yo% safe from harm' as long as yo%9re open to their message+ They shape yo%r point of vie! in ten important !ays+ 1+ %dd perspective. 8 motorcycle has t!o mirrors to capt%re images from &oth si"es+ /oth mirrors are necessary to get eno%gh information on !hich to ma5e a "ecision+ 3o% nee" to vie! things from more than one perspective to get the most acc%rate pict%re in life as !ell+ 8ltho%gh reality is al!ays changing' yo% ma5e the &est "ecisions !hen yo% can get as many facts as practically possi&le+ %ffect perception. The image yo% see in the mirror is not the act%al size+ 0t9s the same !hen yo% loo5 &ac5 on life e)periences+ Time has a !ay of em&ellishing events+ 3o%r min" ma5es them smaller' larger' more painf%l' or more "iffic%lt than they really !ere+ 8 *%ic5 reality chec5 can correct that+ Teach change management. #ach vie! in the mirror is &%t a single snapshot' an" it9s "ynamic+ #)periences an" people come an" go+ Time flies+ $e! inp%ts ta5e priority over ol"er ones+ Mirrors teach yo% ho! to &e fle)i&le an" manage change+ Create distortion. 6irty' foggy' or sooty mirrors "istort !hat yo% see' preventing a clear pict%re from forming+ This is a5in to negative tho%ghts an" emotions that "rag yo% "o!n' %s%rp yo%r energy' an" -eopar"ize yo%r progress+ Stop an" clean them+ 0t9s amazing ho! things change+ %id ha-ard recognition. Mirrors sho! yo% hazar"s that are approaching from &ehin"+ 7res%ma&ly' yo% recognize them an" can ta5e corrective action &efore harm occ%rs+ 0n life' i"eally yo% only nee" a partic%lar lesson once' an" yo% recognize it if it happens again+ Learn from the mista5es of the past so that they "on9t nee" to &e repeate"+ There9s too m%ch else to "o+ Re*uire repetition. 0t9s not s%fficient to chec5 yo%r mirrors at the &eginning of yo%r -o%rney an" then not again %ntil the en"+ /eca%se of the ever-changing nat%re of o%r past' chec5ing them fre*%ently 5eeps %s sharp an" rea"y to ta5e appropriate action+ Offer limited usefulness. Mirrors reflect only !hat they9re foc%se" on+ M%ch of !hat9s going on aro%n" yo% isn9t capt%re" an" can potentially infl%ence yo%r life+ Li5e!ise' if yo% foc%s only on one aspect of yo%r past at the e)pense of a m%ch larger e)perience' yo% act on incomplete information+ 8n" that lea"s to tro%&le+

Re&ard mindfulness. 8 c%rsory glance in the mirror "oes very little+ 8ltho%gh yo%9re going thro%gh the motions' yo%9re not seeing !hat9s there+ Min"f%lness 5eeps yo% receptive an" safe+ Balance needs. Motorcycle mirrors m%st &e large eno%gh to capt%re as m%ch information as possi&le &%t small eno%gh to &e aero"ynamic' light' an" practical+ 3o%9ll never %n"erstan" everything that happens+ 4ealize that there9s too m%ch to comprehen"' ta5e !hat is practical' an" then respect an" par5 the rest+ 3o%9re not meant to %n"erstan" everything' an" trying only 5eeps yo% in the past+ Increase accurac!. 2ith technology an" enhance" man%fact%ring processes' mirrors are increasingly perceptive+ 1ften' as people get to 5no! yo%' they &ecome more ast%te' an" the messages they sen" &ac5 &ecome more val%a&le to yo%+ Mirrors help shape yo%r point of vie!+ Life gives yo% all 5in"s of e)periences( many pleasant an" -oyf%l' others yo%9" rather forget+ They all serve a p%rpose on yo%r -o%rney+ /%t if yo% get em&roile" in the past' yo% miss the opport%nities an" gifts of present moment an" ris5 yo%r f%t%re+ Mirrors teach yo% ho! to honor the past' learn from it' an" carry its lessons into yo%r f%t%re+

Ten Important Things to Focus On

Mirrors reflect !hatever they foc%s on+ Motorcycles' the most v%lnera&le vehicles on the roa"' have only t!o of them+ 0n a !ay' that ma5es things simpler+ 0t also ma5es !hatever they9re reflecting &ac5 at yo% that m%ch more important+ They9re an important safety feat%re' &%t to &e of val%e' mirrors have to &e foc%se" on !hat tr%ly matters+ 8n"' of co%rse' yo% nee" to &e loo5ing at them+ The same is tr%e of the things yo% nee" to foc%s on in life+ 1+ The present. Savor the present an" !hat yo%9re "oing no!+ 0t9s easy to get ca%ght !orrying a&o%t !hat9s going to happen or fretting over the past+ 0t s5ips yo% over the present+ Foc%s more on !hat9s going on aro%n" yo% than on !hat9s going on in yo%r min"+ Toda!. #ach "ay has 2 ' an" only 2 ' ho%rs+ 0t9s the same for everyone+ There9s a finite amo%nt that yo% can "o+ 7rioritize so that those things that a"" the most val%e to yo%r life get "one first+ Tomorro&. 3o% can learn the lessons of the past' &%t yo% can9t change it+ Bse those lessons as m%lch' to fertilize the see"s yo%9ve plante" an" create the f%t%re yo% !ant+ ,a!ing yes. 2hen yo%r int%ition g%i"es yo% in a certain "irection' even if it9s opposite to !here yo% tho%ght yo% !ere going' ta5e notice an" tr%st that voice+ 0t only gets lo%"er if yo% ignore it+ ,a!ing no. 0f yo% !ant a &alance" life' yo%9re going to nee" to learn to say no+ Time thieves are every!here+ Saying no preserves clarity an" the reso%rces to get the important st%ff "one+ ,implicit!. The less cl%ttere" life is' the less yo% nee" to !or5 to o&tain' maintain' an" event%ally "ispose of st%ff(an" the more time yo% have to en-oy the present along !ith its gifts+ Consi"er if !hat yo%9re acc%m%lating is something yo% nee" to "o or have+ "ou. There is' after all' only one of yo%+ 3o%9re one-of-a-5in"' here to fill a role that only yo% can fill+ Love !ho yo% are an" care for yo%rself' an" yo%9ll &e in a healthier position to serve others+ Relationships. Choose people !ho energize' inspire' an" no%rish yo%+ 2e9re interconnecte"' social &eings+ 2e nee" others to thrive+ The positive effects of healthy relationships e)ten" !ell &eyon" the imme"iate !hen yo% invite positive people into yo%r life+ "our destination. 8ltho%gh yo%r primary foc%s is on yo%r goal' yo% still nee" to chec5 yo%r mirrors reg%larly+ 1&-ects in the mirror are in yo%r past' &%t yo% %se that information to 5eep yo%r f%t%re safe+

"our passion. 6o !hat e)cites yo%' !hat yo%9re here to "o+ 3o%9re the only one !ho can "o it' an" it9s so m%ch more f%lfilling than getting ca%ght %p in other things+ Bltimately' the "ecision on !here to foc%s either yo%r mirrors or yo%r eyes an"' conse*%ently' their relevance is %p to yo%+ 8s it is on yo%r motorcycle' so it is in life+ Foc%sing on !hat matters helps 5eep yo% on the roa"' safe an" en-oying the ri"e+

Ten Messages from Mirrors

8s a comm%nications "evice' mirrors act as &oth sen"ers an" receivers+ They sho! yo% !hat9s going on in yo%r s%rro%n"ings !hile sharing yo%r reflection !ith others+ Similarly' people act as mirrors' "elivering life lessons to yo% an" reflecting &ac5 !hat they perceive is coming from yo%+ Motorcycle mirrors reflect information s%rro%n"ing the ri"er an" present it in a meaningf%l !ay("esigne" for safety+ 3et' their messages go &eyon" safety' e)ten"ing to life lessons yo% can &enefit from every "ay+ 1+ Put safet! first. The paramo%nt f%nction of motorcycle mirrors is to reflect the s%rro%n"ing activity yo% nee" to ma5e a "ecision on yo%r safety+ Similarly' people !ill alert yo% to physical an" emotional hazar"s that yo% may &e &lin" to+ Maintain perspective. #ven given a large image' yo%r eye may &e "ra!n to a specific "etail' precl%"ing yo% from seeing the &ig pict%re+ 0t9s a "angero%s practice on a motorcycle' an" it9s "angero%s in life+ Arante"' yo% may nee" to ma5e a *%ic5 "ecision' &%t &ase it on as m%ch information as possi&le+ 1eep !our distance. 0f yo%9re too close to the mirror' every "etail is magnifie" an" yo% can9t get the f%ll pict%re+ $atch out for fla&s. 0magine if all yo% co%l" see in the motorcycle mirror !ere pro&lems+ 3o% can if that9s !hat yo%9re loo5ing for+ 8n" if that9s the case' yo% might as !ell par5 it an" ta5e %p something else+ Consider all inputs. Foc%sing e)cl%sively on either fla!s or &ea%ty is not healthy on the roa" or in life+ The tric5 is to ta5e neither personally an" to 5eep a &alance" perspective+ 4emem&er' the &ea%ty yo% see in others is present in yo%+ 4eallyE 3o% choose !here to foc%s+ ,ee &hat(s there. Mirrors reflect !hat they see' !hether they9re on yo%r motorcycle reflecting traffic or they9re another person respon"ing to yo%r actions+ 0f someone is respon"ing negatively to yo%' step &ac5 an" consi"er !hat yo%9re sho!ing that mirror+ 'ver!one has their o&n opinion. The reflection that comes &ac5 to yo% has gone thro%gh any imperfections on a mirror9s s%rface an" may misrepresent reality+ Li5e!ise' the opinions of others are filtere" thro%gh their perceptions an" &eliefs+ Deep that in min" !hen they9re offering a"vice+ %ccept the truth. 2hether yo% !ant to loo5 or not' !hat9s there is there+ /etter to loo5 an" "eal !ith the facts than to plea" ignorance' especially if there9s a Mac5 tr%c5 &earing "o!n on yo%+ Listen to !our feelings. 0mages in a mirror or reactions from other people can

elicit fear' anger' or tension+ 1n the roa"' it9s %s%ally relate" to perceive" harm+ The same is tr%e in life+ 0f others are prompting yo% to feel negative emotions' or e)hi&it negative &ehavior' reflect on !hy yo% are respon"ing in s%ch a manner an" loo5 for the lesson+ Figure out the root cause. 0f yo% 5eep seeing flashing lights in yo%r mirror' it9s time to a"-%st yo%r ri"ing ha&its+ Li5e!ise' if "ifferent people 5eep telling yo% the same thing' as5 yo%rself !hat the message is an" fig%re o%t !hat they9re seeing that yo%9re not+ Mirrors are caref%lly "esigne" to serve a vital f%nction(i+e+' protect yo% from harm+ Learn from them+ The ne)t time yo% see the same reflection' yo%9ll 5no! ho! to respon"+ /%t remem&er(even !ith mirrors' there are &lin" spots+

%c no&ledgements Than5 yo% to three !on"erf%l people !ho !ere instr%mental in the &irth of this &oo5. Carla Ding' for prompting me to !rite it in the first place' sharing her p%&lishing e)pertise' an" enco%raging me along the !ayF Lyn /ishop' for another a!esome cover "esignF an" Marcy Denne"y' for her e)cellent e"its an" eye for "etail+ 09" li5e to ac5no!le"ge the comm%nity of ri"ers every!here that 09m &lesse" to &e a part of+ The camara"erie' free spirit' an" open roa"s !e share inspire" these insights an" ta%ght me these lessons from the roa"+ Than5 yo% for yo%r *%estions' comments' an" fee"&ac5' !hich have shape" this &oo5+

%bout the %uthor Liz Jansen is a !riter' spea5er' facilitator' cons%ltant' an" a"vent%rer+ <er !or5 is &ase" on !is"om an" insights inspire" mostly &y t!o-!heele" e)periences+ She can &e reache" at !!!+liz-ansen+com+

,ta! Connected $ant to sta! informed &ith articles# resources# and tips2 Sign %p for my ne!sletter' an" receive a free copy of Fifty Favorite Moto Gadgets and Gizmos+

Other Titles3$omen# Motorc!cles and the Road to 'mpo&erment Bsing my o!n story as a frame!or5' 09ve !oven the stories of G other !omen into one common message of a"vent%re an" self-"iscovery+ 3o% can p%rchase 2omen' Motorcycles an" the 4oa" to #mpo!erment here+

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