Doing a big, crazy, impossible bike ride taught me something about following dreams. For perhaps three years I cranked around the same familiar streets and trails near my house, imagining what it would be like to do a cross-country ride. I planned and schemed and visualized. Eventually I even started talking about it. I loved it, […]
Continue readingMonte Puts Things In Perspective
Monte doesn’t get concerned about elections. He also doesn’t fuss about age, beauty, money, or most of the other stuff his human friends get twisted up about. So I thought, on this day when there’s so much angst, we could all use his wisdom from three years ago. # # # On this trip people […]
Continue readingCubs Win! The Power Of A Story
You probably heard–the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. After 108 years of futility, of being the Lovable Losers, of Wait Til Next Year, they finally won. I’m sure you heard about it, even if you don’t follow baseball, even if you don’t like sports, because the Cubs’ victory was about something much bigger than […]
Continue readingHow To Avoid The Chaos
Election season likely has us all a bit flustered. How do we keep our eye on the dream when there’s so much noise and sheer craziness oozing from every corner of the culture? After a coffee conversation with a wise friend (and a nice, peaceful bike ride), I listed a few ideas. Perhaps they’ll help. […]
Continue readingA Dog’s Thoughts About Love
In his last post of our 1500-mile ride along the Mississippi River, Monte shared his observations about love. # # # Becky and Rich talk a lot about love. It confuses me. They tell each other, “I love you,” and they both tell me they love me. Rich says he loves riding his bike. […]
Continue readingWhat If There’s Not A Reason?
Do you believe everything happens for a reason? I don’t–at least not in the way a lot of folks make that sort of claim. It’s a question that comes up often when I tell my story. I wrote these thoughts three years ago during our TAOS TO TUCSON Ride. Perhaps they’re appropriate in today’s somewhat chaotic, unpredictable […]
Continue readingMonte Learned About Fear
Five years ago, Monte encountered his first taste of fear. As you’ll see, he was confused. We could all learn something from Monte’s response to fear. # # # We’re in another new place called the South. I don’t know what that means—it’s just another place with unique smells to check out. But I have […]
Continue readingInspired By Hope
Five years ago I was riding my bike 1500 miles. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the ride was long hours to think, ponder, and just be alone with God. You know you’re lost in your thoughts when you lose track of which state you’re riding in. # # # I wonder if I’m motivated or […]
Continue readingHow Will You Fill Your Tiles?
My friend Eric and I had breakfast in one of those old restaurants with the one-foot square checkered tile floors. We’re about the same age. He said, “Here’s a good way to visualize our legacy and the work we still want to do. “Count out seven of those tiles and let each one represent a […]
Continue readingMonte, Throwing Food, And Teamwork
Five years ago we stopped at Lamberts Cafe In Sikeston, Mo. Lambert’s is famous for home-style meals and “throwed rolls.” When you want another roll, you raise your hand and the server tosses it across the room. Monte loved Lambert’s, because lots of folks fumbled their rolls. He wrote about our time in Sikeston. # # # […]
Continue readingDoes The Process Matter?
Results-focused thinking is dangerous. Five years ago we were riding along the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A post called Traveling Well contrasted two rides and prompted some thoughts about current events. “It’s about the journey, not the result.” Thursday’s ride was about as routine as it gets. Straight roads, wide shoulders, a fair amount […]
Continue readingHaunting Memories
Four years ago we took a bike ride to Washington DC. We had a great time but I’m still, in many ways, haunted by what I learned during that trip. At the conclusion I visited the MLK Memorial and wrote a post titled I Can’t Un-Know. I’ve heard individual stories from victims of human trafficking, […]
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