Aug. 3, 2009

it seems as if we just started 2009 and here it is, August already. today was a great day for me personally. there's a young man i'm coaching at the bmx track and today, we tackled some pretty difficult things and he rose to the challenge!

when i teach riders jumping, i'm always a bit nervous. i want to push these guys, at the same time, i don't want them to get hurt. i try to see where there are mentally, by asking a lot of questions and keeping them active on the track. we did a lot of riding side-by-side, to get him use to having somebody next to him. i would jump the stepup out of turn 2, just to give him a feel of what it was like to have somebody jumping next to him. we both took the jump at the same speed and afterwards, i asked, "you realize, we're going the same speed right?" he acknowledge and then i put the challenge to him. i told him that we needed to keep riding and the feeling will come when it's time. well, he was ready and after a few cases, he nailed it like a pro!!! i was so proud!!!

tomorrow i go visit a young boy in columbus, in. who broke 3 cervical vertebrae and fractured his skull. i've been trying to sell my LEATT neck brace for some time now and it's odd how we are placed in positions to really make an impact on a persons life. the young man doesn't have a positive male role model in his life and his family doesn't have a lot of money. so it hit me, maybe i was meant to buy this brace for this occassion. when this young man begins to ride, he's going to need protection in the very area that this neck brace provides, however, it cost $400.00. this young man has a passion for bmx racing and i know he's going to ride again! so instead of me selling this brace and making some money back, i think i was meant to give this brace to this young man who could never afford an item like this. call it what you will, but sometimes if we just listen, GOD speaks to us. i think this is one of those times where GOD is at work and i just happened to hear him.

that's all i have for now... i hope all is well on your end!

tommy