Coffee with Cutlass: Exploring the Realm

There’s been some kind of idea rattling around in my head for the last several weeks. It’s a component to the broad symphony of ideas that inspire me both personally and professionally.

Repeatedly, I could not figure out how to put it into words. Bear with me while I try my best to share these thoughts…

There is an intangible Realm that exists between the bicycle and the cyclist.
It exists between the cyclist and their mechanic.
And it exists between the mechanic and the bicycle.

The Realm might not always be evident. How the Realm presents itself may not always be so obvious.

But we also exist in this Realm. I don’t yet have a name for this experience but I have a sense of understanding it.

The Realm, at times, is palpable.

It’s that moment of engagement.
Swinging your leg over the bike, clipping in, and tuning out the noise;
Handing your prized possession over to your mechanic, a trusted resource;
It’s the harmony of dialing mechanical systems.

Being in this Realm can be fleeting. It’s as quick as a thought or as long as a ride’s duration.

Sharing the Realm is a privilege.
Existing on the same plane during an emphatic discussion about a new route or expressing the joy of a diagnostic practice with a practical solution.

But what is the Realm?

It is community.
It is connection between two entities; human to human or human to machine.
It is devotion to joy and to craft.
It is the thrill of sport and competition within a race.

The Realm is the intuition we use to perpetuate our lives in a mindful and meaningful way. It can be rather powerful in its way of wanting to seek it out!

I encourage you to sit and think about this. Discuss it with your friends and family; you might be surprised at what you learn.

Are you aware of the Realm’s presence? What does the Realm embody for you? What can you do with the Realm and what can the Realm do for you?