The official Dancing Deer Baking Company Blog

Getting over fear. That’s one of my objectives, why I am joining Trish for the first 3 days of her 1500 mile sojourn. Harnessing my strength, what I have to offer, what I can contribute to pay attention to the fear and harm of homelessness. So why is my heart pounding and why are my palms sweating? My family would laugh knowingly.

Turbulence. The turbulence of life can prevent us from paying attention, from participating. Trish and I have known each other for over 15 years now, although we don’t see each other very often. Our youngest children were babies together. We would meet, bleary-eyed, over coffee and Cheerios, while the boys played together and fought over blocks. We lived our lives, built our careers and have come together again  to ride bikes for reasons much bigger than ourselves, but very much because of who we are.

I am a psychologist training to become a psychoanalyst. I approach life on a micro level and this bike ride affords me an opportunity to zoom out and gain a broader perspective. It challenges me to expand my vision. We as a society can no longer afford the false illusion that making money is the same thing as doing well. We can no longer maintain the illusion that the fences we erect around our property lines insulate us from one another. Fear is no longer an excuse for checking out. My palms have stopped sweating.

Janet English

Note: Janet is riding with Trish from Atlanta to Columbia, SC.