I spent a lot of time today thinking about motivation and inspiration. I wonder if I’m motivated or inspired to do this ride. It’s the sort of question you ask yourself while cranking along on a nondescript backroad that you thought was in Arkansas until you encounter this sign and realize you were still in Missouri. […]
Continue readingDuck
Happy Monday. We begin week #7 of Rich’s Ride with a silly word-of-the-week… DUCK! It’s not what you think. We spent the weekend at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis, thanks to the generosity of our new friends Dudley and Michelle Boyd. Among many other wonderful amenities, The Peabody is known for The Peabody Ducks. Who knew […]
Continue readingWandering
1133 miles I never realized how much the river begins to twist and turn as it approaches Memphis. Rivers always have bends and corners. Everyone knows there’s no such thing as a perfectly straight river. But I wasn’t prepared for this. I can’t follow the river here. No roads trace anything close to the meandering […]
Continue readingGrateful…Truly Grateful
We’re wrapping up week 6 of Rich’s Ride. As we speak to folks in Memphis and wonder at the generosity of strangers-turned-friends, this song popped up on Becky’s Ipod. I included the lyrics below. They’re wonderful, but one thought struck me: Giving thanks for what I’ve got Makes me happier than keeping score Please enjoy the […]
Continue readingPlease Don’t Make Me Start Over–repost
This article originally appeared February 8, 2011. * * * * * How do you escape the fate of Sisyphus? One of my first “real” jobs as a kid was a two-week gig at the Iowa State Fair. Each morning I showed up at 6 a.m. A supervisor handed me a sealed metal can with […]
Continue readingEverybody’s Got A Story
I’m constantly amazed by the individual stories we hear from people as we talk about hope. I think there’s a lesson for us in the depth and variety of experiences. It’s easy to divide the world into two groups—those who face some kind of challenge, and those who don’t. It’s pointless—there’s nobody in the second […]
Continue readingTeamwork
Hi. It’s Monte again, giving Rich a break. You can read my other articles here. * * * * * I’m trying to figure out my role in what’s happening. You all know we’re doing this thing called Rich’s Ride. For me it’s not that big a deal, because I just do what I always […]
Continue readingCostly Comfort
Yesterday’s post proved to be somewhat prophetic. After writing about riding in adverse conditions, we awoke Tuesday morning to rain, strong wind, and temps in the low 40s. At home, that’s a prescription for another cup of coffee and no riding. Becky advised waiting, but I was determined to get going. So I layered on the […]
Continue readingAngry At God?
Have you ever been angry with God? Last week I spoke to an amazing group of kids. Reality Youth Center serves young people from tough environments. Poverty, abuse, neglect, absent parents—nearly every member of the audience has experienced a challenging childhood. After I told them about my injury, I confessed that I spent a lot […]
Continue readingSafety Net
I thought I trained pretty hard for this ride. After cranking a few weeks, I realize that the training isn’t the same as the real thing. It’s too easy to cut a ride short when I get tired. My route can be adjusted depending on the wind. I can avoid really tough hills. If the […]
Continue readingDaily
Happy Monday! Today we begin week 6 of Rich’s Ride. Here’s an unusual word-of-the-week… DAILY …as in “daily bread.” We’ve tried everything to plan ahead even a few days, but we’re discovering that this project seems to unfold one day at a time. Each time we think we have a handle on the next few days, […]
Continue readingGlamorous Dreams
Every Monday while I’m on this crazy ride I’m sharing some reflections about the Mississippi River as a metaphor for a dream. You can see previous articles here. * * * * * The river isn’t all glamorous. Some stretches are glorious—sun shimmering across bright blue water, picturesque tugs skillfully maneuvering barges through the locks, lovely waterfront […]
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