Reflections, Resolutions, and Riding

Well congratulations ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, you have obviously made it to the year 2022. Imagine that! We have survived another year, another virus variance, the highest gas prices in history, food costs that are out of this world, and just life in general. As I’ve stated in previous articles, I hope that you have been enjoying your life as much as possible.

I guess with my usual approach to a vision on life, I will remind you of the obvious and maybe open some insight into some things you may be wanting to forget.
Now is the usual time that we start to make resolutions to ourselves about how we want to change and better our lives. There will always be the usual: I’m going to stop drinking, I’m going to start exercising, I’m going to forgive those who have f****d me over in the past, etc. 

However, the reality of things is that we only do them for a couple months. It becomes too hard and too time consuming. The best thing I believe you can promise yourself is to learn from your mistakes and try not to repeat them. Maybe instead, sit down and write a list of things not to forget. Unfortunately, the saying that a leopard will not change its spots is only partially true. If the effort is truly and sincerely put forth, one can make positive changes in their life. Just be realistic with your goals. 

If somebody screwed you over once, chances are they will do it again. Especially if they were successful at getting away with it the first time. A thief is a thief. That’s kind of self-explanatory. Most people will take the opportunity to take from you at your lowest point. Never fully trust anyone. I know that sounds cynical, but the reality of it is there is a human factor in everything. I guess what I’m saying is, try to reflect on the wisdom of the past and sometimes those silly little sayings that you come across. One such thing as there’s no real safety or security in a lock, it just keeps honest people honest.

We are living in a time now that is unprecedented in hypocrisy and blatant stupidity. I never thought I would see the day of four dollars for a gallon of gas or a pot roast in a store going for $130. A day that when I’m checking out of the store that can’t even keep the shelves fully stocked, they are paying stock people $17 an hour to mellow round while I have to check myself out at a register. For those of you old enough to remember, $17 an hour took you quite a long time to achieve. Now a burger joint is willing to pay you that just walking in the door. I’ve stated before that things were going to get out of hand unless we stepped up and stood against it. Obviously those words fell on deaf ears.

So with that said, don’t sit around bitchin’ about how horrible things are, when you’re not willing to do anything to change it. So what does this have to do with motorcycles? As always, everything relates to another thing somehow. So let’s go ahead and put it together. Would you get on the highway with a group of riders you’ve never ridden with before and be in closed formation? Of course not. You don’t do that type of riding until you have trust and confidence in the ones that you’re around.

Would you just get in a group of riders and takeoff on a ride without knowing where you’re going? Of course you wouldn’t. Just like you would like to know when you might be returning. Would you take off and go out on a daily ride without a dollar in your pocket? Of course you wouldn’t. If you had other bills to pay and money was tight, would you be prepared to pay triple at a gas pump? Of course not. Would you buy a motorcycle or any other vehicle without matching the title and the VIN numbers on the bike or would you just take the seller’s word for it that the bike’s papers are legal? Of course you would check.

I can go on and on but, what it amounts to is to relate everything to something else that you’re familiar with. You would love to believe everyone’s honest. You would love to believe everyone would have your best interest in mind… not just theirs. We would love to believe that everybody takes the same care and thoughtfulness as you might when they get on their bike or when they’re hanging with others.

The bottom line is to make what you commit to realistic. I’m not saying don’t take any risks in your life. After all, the majority of the time, a risk is involved in order to attain dreams and goals. Like the saying goes, don’t expect to win the lotto if you don’t buy a ticket. So everything is relative. If there are other things that you want to do that are worthwhile, volunteer some of your time. Unfortunately, with social distancing that can be difficult, but not impossible.

I wish all of you the best of luck and hope your dreams come true. And I wish you all a very prosperous new year. For the douche bags out there, well you know what you can do.

Take care, ride safe, have fun and be happy. Until next time.

—Nefarious James
American Biker