Inspired to Reality

Before I got my first motorcycle, I attended a mandatory safety school that the military required for you to ride a motorcycle on the base. At the time, I never knew how that class might help me. I was riding dirt bikes and all terrain vehicles since I was kid so I walked in thinking it would be a huge waste of time. But there was one statement that the instructor nailed into our heads. Not only did it save my life countless numbers of times, but it also has an impact on everything else we all do.

He said over and over…”You will always go in the direction that you are looking….So don’t look down, because that is where you will go.”

My first practical proof of this concept in action was watching super bike racers. If you get a chance to watch them on the Speed Channel just take a look. As they approach a turn, their heads snap to the side looking into the oncoming turn like robots almost at identical points in the track. These guys go into turns at speeds that make would most race car drivers hesitate, with their knees usually only millimeters off the ground.

Then came my own riding experience that further proved that the concept was real. One bad experience and one good one. One morning when I knew I was too tired to ride, I went against my better judgment and took my first bike out for a morning ride. After a hard rain that night, the parking lot was awash with sand piles left by the moving water. I did not see the sand at the corner of the parking lot and my rear tire had slid out from under me. Even though my motorcycle was at a 45 degree under me I immediately focused on the heavy wood rail fence in front of me…saying to myself…”Oh, this is going to hurt”

Well the point is the motorcycle was not headed for the fence because the skid forced it almost parallel to the fence. There was a small sidewalk in front of the fence. At this point I could have told you how many knots were in that wood rail since I was so concentrated on it. Well long story short the curb of the sidewalk stopped the bike instantly and I went on my way with the appointment I had set with this wooden fence.

Luckily the only thing that was hurt was my pride. I was only going about 5-7 mph in the parking lot and all that crash experience I gather riding dirt bikes saved me from a broken arm. But when I stood up and look at my new bike laying on the ground in the opposite direction, I could not help but wonder how I ended up where I was. Then what the instructor said rushed into my head. I was focus on avoiding the fence…when I should have been focused on where I wanted to be going.

So a few years later and a new more powerful bike, the lesson saved my life. In a instance of pure ego and adrenaline (and not to mention stupidity), I found myself approaching a practically 90 degree turn at about 5 times the posted speed limit. In the middle of the turn on the right side of the road, was a huge wooden and steel bill board. In that instance a cartoon image splashed into my head of me splattered all over it. I quickly realized I was going to die if I did not get this right and the training and experience kicked in like clock work. I started repeating to myself…look where you want to go….sprinkled with a couple of “don’t look…please don’t look…Oh God!, please don’t look.”

You know how it seems time slows down in those moments. Well I did not realize how close I was leaning to the side to make this crazy stunt since I was so glued on looking forward. Then I felt sparks shoot up my left leg because my foot pegs were starting to grind on the asphalt. I just said over and over…don’t look down. My eyes were focus like a laser on the end of that turn. And if you know anything about motorcycle riding, you know you have to accelerate out of a turn….So I had to even speed up to make it out. After I made the turn I had the pleasure of seeing the car behind me at the next red light….The guy’s face said it all. He did not know what was more scarier…seeing me make the turn or the image of if I had not.

When I reflected on the two incidents and thought about the science behind each event, it shocked me to think that I could control a 600lb motorcycle at speeds and g-forces that would have made it feel like a lead anchor, but for some reason I could not control a lighter motorcycle at lower speeds….not to mention in both cases, I ended up exactly where I was concentrating on. So why is this the case? What makes us go in the direction we focus on?

The only thing that comes close to defining this phenomenon is “momentum.” Every body in this universe has it, and it always works the same way. The question then becomes….are you using it to your advantage or is it bringing you the same disappointments? In all actuality, it only brings you what you are asking for. Are you focused on obstacles you want to avoid or are you focused on where you want to go?

Most importantly, much like my example above, each second counts. Every thought at every moment is either taking you towards or away from your goals. So think about your thoughts. Are you saying “I don’t want to fail” or “I want to succeed.” You would think they are the same thing on the surface, but the momentum in your life will bring you different results. This is why we face our fears so often. If you concentrate on them, that is what life brings you. Fear failing and you will have a greater chance of failing. Think that you are helpless and it will be proven to you over and over. Or are you just canceling out your momentum by sending both positive and negative thoughts. “I can do it, but it will be hard.” That is one I still work on from time to time.

Focus on where you want to go and whatever you do, don’t ever look down. It may just change your life.

Share This