Missouri has a bike trail, the Katy Trail, that runs across the state from Clinton in the west to St. Charles in the east. From 1996 to 1999, I had rode my bike along the Katy Trail from Sedalia (the former western terminus) to McBaine, from a point north of Providence to Jefferson City, and from Dutzow to Augusta. At that time, I had almost conquered the entire western half of the Katy Trail (Sedalia to Jefferson City), all I had left was the 4 mile section from McBaine to Providence.
From time to time over the last 10 years, I would see or think about the Katy Trail and be reminded of that one 4-mile section I had not ridden.
A few weeks ago, I had a meeting with the associate pastor of the church that I attend. He suggested that I take one day a week and relax not do any work, not even cook or clean, just a day to relax. I chose Sunday to be that day. Three Sundays ago, I went to St. Louis and spent the day there. Two Sundays ago, I went to Springfield, MO, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Kansas City. Last Sunday, I visted my cousin just north of me Kirksville. This Sunday, I wanted to stay local. I decided it was time to complete the former western half of the Katy Traiil and ride the 4 mile section.
Saturday, I went to Wal-Mart and bought a foot pump and prepared my bike for the ride. Sunday morning, I got up, put on my cycling spandex, loaded my bike into my SUV, got my water, and drove down to the trailhead at McBaine.
I unloaded my bike, started at the McBaine trail marker, and made my way south east downriver along the Katy Trail. While biking, I was observing the sights, feeling the wind at my face, and enjoying the ride. 4.3 miles later, I made it to Providence and crossed the road there. It was my personal "Finish Line".
However, for my trek this day, I was only halfway done. I turned around and headed upriver back to McBaine. When I got to Mile Marker 166.9, I stopped at the Lewis & Clark Historical Marker and also looked at the Katy Trail Marker, which was talking about an natural arch. I looked up, and I saw the natural arch in the rock. I then started my trek again on the trail until I made it back to McBaine.
When I arrived at McBaine, I was happy to finally complete that elusive section of the Katy Trail that had daunted me for the last 10 years. Now, I could say that I have ridden the trail from Sedalia to Jefferson City with no gaps. I was thinking about how nice it was to complete that task. For lunch, I drove down to Jefferson City for a celebratory lunch. I did it!!!
This past week at work, I was also witness to another one of my projects being completed that I had worked and toiled for countless hours, our company's new Point of Sale system. People in our Arkansas and Oklahoma sales locations have been test driving it the last week. On Friday, I received no phone calls with any issues regarding the new system. I was relieved and happy.
It sure feels great to complete things. In the past, I have always found it difficult to complete things because of my perfectionism, and also the fact in my last two jobs, as soon as I said my work was completed, my job was completed as well.
I have now started on two goals that I want to complete. The first goal I started in mid-July is to read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation for the first time in my life. I am reading the New International Version of the Bible. As of today, I am in the book of 1 Chronicles.
The second goal is to make peace with my past, and to say goodbye to Social Anxiety once and for all. Saturday night after church, I came home and signed up for group therapy to help people with Social Anxiety. The group therapy starts Tuesday, September 2, and I am looking forward to it.
