A funny thing happened...

[BikinAround]

Hi guys.

Something happened to me recently that really got me thinking. I am a great advocate of positive attraction – believing that positivity, good deeds and charity are rewarded back to those who express and give them. If you have time, I’d like you to read my story and pass comment on it. I enjoy hearing opinions all perspectives and I’m in no way bigoted or dismissive of any opinion as to what “forces”, if any, were apparent.

I’m a keen cyclist, and I often plan 20-30 mile routes to ride around the locality where I live. On this particular occasion I had planned a 20-mile circuit that took me out of my town and into rural parts of the surrounding countryside.

I set off mid-morning, the sun was shining and it looked to be a great day for cycling. All was going great up until about halfway through the circuit, when upon descending a hill, my front inner-tube suddenly blew out. I rolled to a halt and dismounted. I glanced down at my GPS unit and found I was now faced with the prospect of an eleven mile walk back home, as foolishly I had set out on the ride without a spare tube.

As a started to walk the bike up the other side of the hill, I consciously decided to glean any positivity I could from the situation I was now in; I thought, “I didn’t come off at speed; the bike is fine and only the cheapest component needs replacing; I’m uninjured and the sun is still shining!”

Walking in my SPDs, I passed a few people as I made my way along the country lanes, trying to keep positive and not get sucked into a spiral of resentment and anger. I kept thinking things like I had a good ten mile ride and now I could finish with a nice eleven mile walk, and other thoughts like, “the weather’s good” and “I’ll look back at this and laugh”.

I continued walking until I approached a bend in a lane where I noticed a middle-aged man was pruning blackthorn at the bottom of his driveway. He glanced up at me and asked if everything was okay. I told him what had happened and he unexpectedly said, “come round to my shed and let’s see if we can get your wheel sorted”. I was surprised – in a good way – and followed him up the drive. He unlocked his garage and went in. Before long he reappeared with a track pump, an inner tube for a 700cc wheel, tire levers and a puncture repair kit. I couldn’t believe it.

I chatted away as I fitted the new tube and found out the guy was not only a fellow cycle tourer, but lead cycling proficiency tests for local school children! I had a good chat with him and thanked him profusely before setting off home – with a new inner tube and a great feeling inside as I made the return journey back to my house.

I would love to hear individual perspectives about what happened to me; was it karma, or God, positive attraction or just pure coincidence? The whole day played out like a parable, with an almost allegorical meaning to it. Or am I reading too much into it?

Thanks for taking the time to read and I look forward to your comments.

Dan

 

[drich0150]

I would have never met that man, because i would have turned around and walked back 10 miles instead of pressing on to the 11 remaining in your trip.

Great story otherwise.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Hi guys.

Something happened to me recently that really got me thinking. I am a great advocate of positive attraction – believing that positivity, good deeds and charity are rewarded back to those who express and give them. If you have time, I’d like you to read my story and pass comment on it. I enjoy hearing opinions all perspectives and I’m in no way bigoted or dismissive of any opinion as to what “forces”, if any, were apparent.

I’m a keen cyclist, and I often plan 20-30 mile routes to ride around the locality where I live. On this particular occasion I had planned a 20-mile circuit that took me out of my town and into rural parts of the surrounding countryside.

I set off mid-morning, the sun was shining and it looked to be a great day for cycling. All was going great up until about halfway through the circuit, when upon descending a hill, my front inner-tube suddenly blew out. I rolled to a halt and dismounted. I glanced down at my GPS unit and found I was now faced with the prospect of an eleven mile walk back home, as foolishly I had set out on the ride without a spare tube.

As a started to walk the bike up the other side of the hill, I consciously decided to glean any positivity I could from the situation I was now in; I thought, “I didn’t come off at speed; the bike is fine and only the cheapest component needs replacing; I’m uninjured and the sun is still shining!”

Walking in my SPDs, I passed a few people as I made my way along the country lanes, trying to keep positive and not get sucked into a spiral of resentment and anger. I kept thinking things like I had a good ten mile ride and now I could finish with a nice eleven mile walk, and other thoughts like, “the weather’s good” and “I’ll look back at this and laugh”.

I continued walking until I approached a bend in a lane where I noticed a middle-aged man was pruning blackthorn at the bottom of his driveway. He glanced up at me and asked if everything was okay. I told him what had happened and he unexpectedly said, “come round to my shed and let’s see if we can get your wheel sorted”. I was surprised – in a good way – and followed him up the drive. He unlocked his garage and went in. Before long he reappeared with a track pump, an inner tube for a 700cc wheel, tire levers and a puncture repair kit. I couldn’t believe it.

I chatted away as I fitted the new tube and found out the guy was not only a fellow cycle tourer, but lead cycling proficiency tests for local school children! I had a good chat with him and thanked him profusely before setting off home – with a new inner tube and a great feeling inside as I made the return journey back to my house.

I would love to hear individual perspectives about what happened to me; was it karma, or God, positive attraction or just pure coincidence? The whole day played out like a parable, with an almost allegorical meaning to it. Or am I reading too much into it?

Thanks for taking the time to read and I look forward to your comments.

Dan

MY BROTHER,

Thanks for sharing a really cool story!

As a Christian, i don't believe in "coincidences," nor do i believe in impersonal "universal laws" such as karma.

God, being TOTAL and ULTIMATE GOODNESS, rewards those who struggle to remain "good" in the face of evil--which includes a very high percentage of what we face in the world today. It appears to me that you meet this qualification. CONGRATULATIONS!

Now follow these tendencies of yours towards good to their Source!

ABBA'S FOOL,
ephraim

 

[razeontherock]

I would love to hear individual perspectives about what happened to me; was it karma, or God, positive attraction or just pure coincidence? The whole day played out like a parable, with an almost allegorical meaning to it. Or am I reading too much into it?

My perspective only differs from E's in that I would say all these various forces you list as options don't have to be distinct from one another at all. I see 'sowing and reaping' as not so very different from Karma - but he has studied such things in far greater depth.

The phrase "living right" does come to mind

 

[ephraimanesti]

but he has studied such things in far greater depth.

MY BROTHER,

May i point out that "study" is not a valid criteria for judging truth, and is essentially meaningless in spiritual matters. Look at the Pharasees, for example . . .

BLESSINGS!
ephraim

 

[BikinAround]

Thanks for your replies guys. Ephraim, am I correct to assume the "source" of which you speak is God?

 

[ephraimanesti]

Thanks for your replies guys. Ephraim, am I correct to assume the "source" of which you speak is God?

There is no other, my brother; there is no other. He is THE ever-loving always-forgiving Abba of all of us prodigal sons and daughters, and is waiting at the end of the driveway with open arms. HURRY HOME!

ABBA'S FOOL,
ephraim

 

[razeontherock]

Interesting turn of phrase there E, I was going to ask him what plans he had made to visit the helpful man at the end of the drive way ...

 

[BikinAround]

I admire your eloquence, Ephraim.

Well, raze, I don't subscribe to any particular belief system, but rather try and glean positivity from all sources, allowing me to act as a conduit for that positive energy for the benefit of others around me.

The adage, "do unto others as you would have done unto you" is one I try to adhere to.

 

[razeontherock]

So I noticed. Like i said, the phrase "living right" comes to mind

E has explored many many "belief systems," and I think he will tell you it is not the system that primarily benefits, but the Truth (and Power) concealed beneath the surface. We can actually perceive this by observing our world!

Do you know what telemark skiing is? Being out in the middle of nowhere in snow covered terrain is a better place to worship than inside any stained glass windows I've ever encountered ...

Seems you might know what I'm talking about?

 

[ephraimanesti]

Well, raze, I don't subscribe to any particular belief system, but rather try and glean positivity from all sources, allowing me to act as a conduit for that positive energy for the benefit of others around me.

MY BROTHER,

The problem with that tactic, unfortunately, is determining, on your OWN with your OWN judgment exactly what is positive and what is negative in the cosmic scheme of things--what benefits and what destroys. The whole theme of the Bible--from Genesis to Revelation is providing practical illustrations of the fact that man, unguided by His Creator, invariably ends up creating more problems than human beings can ever solve.

A prime example is the assertion that abortion is "for the benefit of others around me" and, as a consequence, millions of helpless unborn children are slaughtered each year--in the name of a "social good."

The adage, "do unto others as you would have done unto you" is one I try to adhere to.

This adage is rather simple to keep--given the belief that "what goes around, comes around." Jesus' adages are a little more difficult and tend to separate the men from the boys, spiritually speaking--"Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute and abuse you" This one, of course, is only possible with Divine Intervention--as both the motivator and the power to perform. (In case you are wondering where i stand with this commandment, i have worked my way up to being a boy with a deep voice.)

ABBA'S FOOL,
ephraim

 

[Annoula]

such coincidences are normal and popular in the way orthodox christians see life.

"coincidence is the way God chooses to stay anonymous".

when we start observing all these coincidences in our lives we'll see that they are everywhere!! i like them a lot, they make me feel i am living in a big Godly fairy tale.