Not long ago, someone I know, someone very close to me, told me, after I mentioned I was going on a “long” bike ride, that I wasn’t really up for that anymore. I heard her words, and my mind—which works fast... very fast—instantly launched a string of thoughts I didn’t voice, of course: “Perhaps she thinks I’m eighty years old… and even if I were, what does she mean I’m not up for it? Is she worry? Or am I really showing signs of aging?” And so on, though I won’t bore you. The point is, lately I prefer not to share what I’m doing until after I’ve done it… if at all.
Ever since I started cycling, I feel renewed. I do other things too, but for instance, I was recently at a house where someone was sick. They had what was supposedly a ridiculously contagious flu, and warned me that if I got close, I’d end up ill myself. Well—I got close. And I’m not sick. Not even a little.
What am I talking about? Beliefs. Mental limitations we place on ourselves, and those imposed on us by others. And we never quite know which are more dangerous—ours, or the ones we catch from others.
This Wednesday walking community is truly lovely—it encourages us to share our strolls, our outings, whether it’s a casual walk, a workout, or just the daily errands that involve some movement. What’s genuinely unhealthy, though, is a sedentary lifestyle and the deep-seated belief that we have physical limitations when, in fact, we don’t.
I can’t say for sure whether the artwork I showed above—found during one of my bike rides through Vedado neighbourhood—was painted by the street artist who goes by the name scottanddestroy. Here’s his Instagram profile. It’s possible, he might well be the author of this marvel. You can see for yourself the quality of the painting, the lines, the expression on the face.
It might have been a collaboration between several artists. On that small street that ends alongside the Tunnel linking Vedado and Miramar, I saw various artistic interventions—but that face stood out.
Speaking of faces…
... it brought me so, so much joy to find this other portrait of Máisel. It’s right at the beginning of 70th Avenue, in the municipality of Playa, as you take that road down to Fifth Avenue and eventually reach the sea. If you follow my posts, you’ll know that every time I come across one of his paintings, I’m filled with joy and immediately bring it here. It’s not that I know him personally—I’ve just always thought his portraits of children are spectacular, and they give the city a beautiful touch. We all carry an inner child within us, one we must care for, embrace, and cherish.
I took the photos from that avenue that splits the street into two lanes—one for those going downhill, the other for those climbing up.
Fortunately, I happened to be going downhill at the time, because—believe me—the uphill slope is a challenge for a 45-year-old granny. 😁
In our city, there are people who devote themselves to leaving us reminders. I've been photographing the one that says “You need to be happy” each time I come across it—but just the other day, in Playa, I found this one: “There isn’t” (No hay).
We often carry that phrase with us in our daily lives—like when we're searching for something and hear: there isn’t. Things turn grim and dark when “there isn’t” electricity, a harsh reality we've been facing every day for… I can’t even remember how long it’s been. And so… you can complete the phrase “There isn’t…” yourself. Feel free to leave your own “There isn’t” in the comments. I’ve already left mine in the title: There are no limits for a strong mind. Thank you—truly—for making it all the way here. I wish you a beautiful day. Shine and be happy.
😜