Episode 74: Your Wonderful Life - The Value of You on Your Motorcycle
SOUNDTRACK for THIS IS YOUR LIFE
And that’s how the program was introduced each week. The concept for the show This Is Your Life originated while a Radio and TV personality Ralph Edwards was hosting another game show. The US Army had requested Edwards to create a program for paraplegic soldiers at a California Army rehabilitation facility. In response, Edwards presented the life story of a particularly disheartened young soldier on air. His goal was to connect that soldier's challenging condition with his happier past and a hopeful future.
In this show, “This is Your Life”, Ralph surprised each guest with a narrated biography. The show featured the life stories of both celebrities and "ordinary" people who had made positive contributions to their communities and to the world. With the help of his large "red book", Ralph narrated the subject's life while introducing family members, friends, and other influential figures.
That show “This is Your Life” reminds me of the movie with a similar name, “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart from 1946.
SOUNDTRACK FOR IT”S A WONDERFUL LIFE
It too is a reflection on the past, but in the case of the movie, it’s a reflection of a past without you in it. It’s about George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, who didn’t see his value until the stresses of life had beaten him. It was then that his Guardian Angel name Clarence granted him the ability to see his value. He was allowed to see what life would have been without him.
So what’s the connection between “This is Your Life”, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and your passion for riding a motorcycle? Let’s talk about it! Stay tuned.
INTRO:
Why do you ride a motorcycle? There are lots of reasons not to. Riding can be dangerous. Anyone reminded you of that lately? Let’s talk about cash@ Modern motorcycles are expensive. You may have to take out a bank loan in order to afford the bike you want. Once you own a bike, you’ll need a good helmet, jacket, riding gloves, riding pants, good boots, etc… Expensive stuff. Not to mention fuel, maintenance, insurance, etc… Why are you spending so much time and money on something that, in the view of so many non-riders is a waste of time, money and a risk to your health?
Yep, I get it. What I just stated is all true. But, there’s so much more to motorcycling that non-riders typically do not understand.
Riding a motorcycle, for me, reduces stress and helps me to think more clearly. From a biological or chemical perspective,riding increases serotonin levels, which can help with depression and increase feelings of happiness. Motorcycling is just fun and depending on where and how you ride, it can be thrilling. Another chemical reference here, it’s known to release endorphins can make riders feel happier. Riding a motorcycle gives us a sense of empowerment and freedom. While we are fully under control, we also feel a release from full control. Finally, while you’re out on your bike, you find friends you haven’t met yet! The motorcycle wave is just one example of a momentary connection with a total stranger. It’s also very cool when you look over to a car next to you, and a little kid is looking right at you and giving you a wave.
When you add in all of the social opportunities that motorcycling offers, that’s a whole new aspect. As much as I enjoy riding alone, we as humans need other people and what a joy is it to connect with others who have the same passion for riding as you do! I’ve mentioned it many times, but the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, held every year in May, is one of the best examples of finding joy in a motorcycling community. The DGR as we call it, is a global motorcycle event raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men's mental health programs on behalf of the Movember Foundation. My wife and I have been ride leaders for the Fort Collins, Colorado event for the past few years. I call it a Global Hug. It’s where you can walk up to a total stranger, give him or her a hug, then introduce yourself. Yeah, it starts with that embrace.
It may be obvious, but I just love to ride. It takes me back to a simpler time, back to 11 year old self, riding my little dirt bike in the field behind our house. Today, the open road and the feeling of wind, the sound of the engine and doing the occasional biker wave to a complete stranger, all that just brings a smile to my face. My head becomes clear and all is well in the world.
In my interview with Brady McLean in Episode 73, we talked a lot about this. Yeah we talked a lot about bikes and other riders, but we also talked about life, the highs and lows. We talked about the value of our lives, the importance of taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally. Most importantly, we talked about service, the importance of reaching out to others who are struggling, doing random acts of kindness and how by pouring ourselves out to others, somehow pours joy back into us.
I’ll wrap up with this. There will likely be a day when family and old friends will gather around and talk about you after you’re gone. What will they say? We can hope that they will say that you were a happy, kind and generous person, that you lived a full life and maybe in part because you found something that we really enjoyed, riding your motorcycle, and riding made you happy. Maybe they will say that in addition to family, home, pets, … you found one more source for joy, being out on your bike where you told people that from time to time, you found the all elusive peace of mind.
Well while you’re still here, my hope for you and for myself is that we will be just like George Bailey at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, we will recognize how very blessed you are right now. We’ll be reminded that yeah, we are having a Wonderful Life.
As always, thank you for listening. If you enjoy these episodes and would like to share a review on Apple Podcast or whichever platform you use, I’d really appreciate that.
Until we visit again, I wish you peace, I wish you love.
Music by Tung Lam and William_King from Pixabay
