“The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”

— Samuel Johnson

As we go through our lives, the chains of our daily habits strengthen.

An old habit, a new trail, and an even older bicycle.

As witness to this, yesterday I rode the old bike on the new trail from Perry to Minburn, Iowa. It’s a nice trail, well-groomed, very flat, and wonderful.

After 13 miles, the ride done, I was feeling “good tired” and glad I got some fresh air. It then occurred to me that I could have turned on my Charity Miles application. Had I done so, I would have earned a few dollars for a charity.

I’ve been using the application daily for the past several months. For every mile I run, they contribute a quarter to a charity of my choice. It didn’t even occur to me that I could use it on a bike ride. The chain of my habit was too strong.

Doing something better in this world doesn’t necessarily mean going to new places or doing miraculous things. Making a difference may simply mean being more aware of our habits then changing them for the better. But only if we are willing to break the chains that bind us.

Next time I bike, I’ll turn on my Charity Miles application. I’m also going to take a good look at the chains of habit that bind me. Maybe they can still be broken.

What chains bind you?

Yesterday’s gift of time … Read another chapter to my kids. Helped my mother with some paperwork she’s having a hard time with.