#27 - Winds of Change

Last week something magical happened: I became an uncle.

And that on its own was not the magical thing. The magic was holding that little person. That brand-new human being without memories, experiences, or prejudices.

Just the pure being of a human. Early stages. A full world ahead.

Some choices already made for them. But so many still waiting to be made by that little person.

And that is where it got me thinking.

Every life begins with that pure little human being. And it ends somewhere between that moment and 120 years later (let’s assume most people don’t become the oldest person to ever live).

That tiny start of a life made me look back at my own 27 years.

The choices I’ve made. The roads I’ve taken. The moments that shaped me.

Last summer I felt it on the Mont Ventoux. That moment where everything came together.

I was about to meet up with Tour de Tietema. I had just driven up the first climb I had ever done on the bike — this time in a car that wasn’t mine, but came from a simple question.

And there I sat.

In that car.

Listening to Angels by Robbie Williams. Crying my heart out.

I was truly happy.

But I also realized in that moment: this will come to pass.

Before I know it, I’ll be back at the office. Working for clients. Cleaning the house.

Life moves on.

But sometimes you want to hold on to one moment forever.

It could be reading your favorite book. The birth of your child. Seeing the Grand Canyon.

We don’t get to freeze time. But we do get to decide what happens next.

For me, this is the single goal of my life: to not regret it all.

I remember driving home from school when I was 20, thinking: if this was it, I’m glad I was a part of it.

Because life has little tricks around every corner.

And you should know: I am deeply afraid of crashing heavily on the bike.

Not because I’d be dead or disabled.

But because I’d lose this all.

My biggest fear is losing control of a moment because of something I can’t control.

But the moments on the Ventoux. Becoming an uncle. Sharing this with you.

They made me realize: I am truly happy and grateful to be a part of it.

And for the future?

I keep working hard on that single goal.

And whatever happens is the result of that hard work.

Normally I have some little things I am geeking on. I will be putting these together in the next newsletter. Which will be about my upcoming gear change for shooting videos.

Thanks for reading. I hope to inspire people in living more, cycling or buying stuff that is (in my opinion) really cool.

If you have any feedback, send me a message on Instagram @harkmeij