Free Wheelin'

I wish that I knew what I know now

When I was younger

I wish that I knew what I know now

When I was stronger

- Faces

I opened the huge box and it took two of us to get the new Hisense television set out of its home for the last few months and onto a safe and steady spot on the floor.

Diving back into the box I searched for what I really needed now – the owner's manual - the instructions.

Just a few days later we had a decades-old boiler remind us of its age, and rather than suck CO fumes and never wake up… we lived with a cast iron stove, and a few new oil-filled space heaters for a few days. Modern, clean, fairly safe – but digital.

Once again, I read all the directions before plugging them in and firing them up.

Shira noticed all this perusing and owner-manual reading, and commented that she thought I eschewed such readily available and common-sense thoughts as reading up on product information before diving in.

I feigned a bit of hurt at this, but in truth, she had a valid point.  Unless something was very complicated, I once figured I ‘had’ everything I attempted.

Confidence is a great thing – but over the years I have learned that I knew far less than I ever thought I did.

Maybe I did know, once - but suddenly awoke one day and forgot half of everything.

This had me thinking about how things might have been different, like Rod Stewart sang, If I knew what I know now when I was younger?

It made me think there might be a few tidbits of wisdom I would send back in time to myself if it were possible.

These are not in any particular order but, if I could, I’d say - Hey kid…

#1 Read the directions, okay?

Things are done in a certain way because that is the best way to do it. 

Don’t dive into something ‘cause it looks like it should be easy. Oh, and make sure the power is REALLY off… trust me!

Code is Code for a reason, and having standards and a correct way of doing anything and everything makes for an easier life.

#2 Know you own a motorcycle, but take the time to learn to ride it well. Spend more time learning to be a better and more proficient rider.

You know if I had the opportunity to learn and ride with really excellent riders when I was in my teens, I can only imagine how great riding could have been and kid, it is pretty good right now.

#3 It’s okay to make errors. We learn from our errors. We pay for our mistakes.

#4 Help others when you can, and never ride by another motorcyclist who is in distress, or obviously needs a hand. Pass it forward unconditionally. It may come around to help you one day – but if it never does, that is okay too. 

#5 Drive your car like you ride your motorcycle.

Most of the people you know, who do not ride, are simply clueless drivers. They sit in their cars, talk on the phone, listen to audiobooks, and look straight ahead.

Drive every mile like you ride your bike. Set up for turns, take the best lines, and think about your acceleration and braking. Make every mile on the road in your car or truck count toward every mile you ride your bike.

#6 Make lists. I never really did this when I was your age, but it helps get things done; and also opens you up to so many other things.

Sometimes you might end a day and think you got nothing done. Well, look at that list – you did a lot, right?

#7 Don't be an asshole. You do not need the 10 Commandments – they all boil down to not being an asshole.

#8 Say good morning and goodnight to God and the Universe every day, and ask him to help you be a better everything.

Listen, kid, don't wait decades to discover one of the easiest ways to have a happier and better life. It’s okay to strive for the things you want, but be grateful for all that you have. The former is a wish, the latter is real.

If you ever get confused, or antsy with motorcycles and your life, always refer back to the last couple of rules – it will always make the rest easier to understand.

Oh, take some of the little money you have and buy stock in Google and Apple.