If you are aching for a slow-paced, less chaotic life and want some inspiration then Notes from a Blue Bike is just what you need to read.
I have been an ardent reader of Tsh Oxenreider’s work and read this book a couple of years ago. Last week I stumbled upon this book again and re-read it, only savoring every single word this time. Reading it made me realize that the years of life have also matured me.
The book is divided into six parts each of which tackles a specific area of life that can be improved by simplifying it a little. The book is part memoir, part travelogue, part inspiration from the author’s own life abroad.
By no means is it a “How-To” book instead it is one which will inspire you to question yourself, assess the season of life you are in, and give you a gentle nudge to make it simpler and more intentional. We all get caught up in busyness, to-do lists, deadlines, and obligations—becoming less and less connected to our priorities and our values.
The last chapter of Notes from a Blue Bike has some practical steps on how to live in this fast-paced world. How to take care of oneself, how to cherish what you have, and how to make time for things that actually matter.
As I turned each page, I felt like the author was putting words to a lot of my desires and feelings. I loved how she said that leading a slower life in today’s world is like swimming upstream, difficult…yes; impossible….no
Notes from a Blue Bike has soothed me, perplexed me but in the end inspired me. It has also reminded me that one does not need to completely let go of the current life to make changes/improvements.
“As an adult, my struggle isn’t recognizing the value behind the little things—it’s intentionally setting aside time, energy, and focus to breathe them in, deeply. Sucking the marrow out of life requires that I sit down in the silence, un-entertained.”
If you like books that make you think and reflect, check this one out for sure. I admire the author for having the courage to live a well-crafted life which goes against the American culture today in so many ways.
