If you have a son and are raising him in 21st century America, you probably should read "Wild at Heart". One theme from the book that resonates with me is how often we tell each other "be careful". Most of us lead careful, calculated, and fearful lives. We live days and years driven more by a desire to avoid painful things that might happen than by the desire to experience the fullness of abundant living. It boggles my mind that people who have been given a functioning body and mind will waste both either in the pursuit of money or simply watching others live life. Life is not a spectator sport. For me, watching sports (live or on television) is only useful if it motivates me to be more involved in some way. Why in the world would watching others play be my goal? How does cheering for a team that wins make me a winner? In many ways, I think I have done a lousy job of living what I believe. Sometimes I watch a college football game and become upset that the kids are not giving more effort. I should be out getting in shape so I can give more effort. So all that leads to my attempt to answer the question "Roxy, why would a man your age want to ride and race mountain bikes?" I could write pages in an attempt to answer, but take a look at this picture;
No, I admit this doesn't look like much fun......at first. But take a look at the expression on this kid's face just before this picture was taken;
Yes, mud is flying. Bruises and scrapes are likely. A face full of mud is a certainty. But look at his face. This kid is having fun! And the dangers of bruises added to the work of cleaning up all that messy mud is exactly what separates this from a video game where he could PRETEND to jump a motorcycle over a helicopter or some such nonsense. He is learning that you don't just hit "reset" and play again. You FEEL the victories and the losses. "Feeling" and "experiencing" is living. Not "reading about" or "watching". Don't get me wrong, I do not hunger for the pain of crashing and will try to avoid it. But I am willing to accept some sore muscles and minor injuries in pursuit of LIVING life rather than just being aware of it going on around me.
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