There is no failure. Only feedback. ~Robert Allen

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon

I learned something about myself today. I don’t like driving a motorcycle. Perhaps that doesn’t seem like a very big deal, but to me it was huge.

I love riding a motorcycle. My husband drives one, and we have ridden together for years. It is a completely different experience than riding in a car. You see things differently. Colors are more vibrant. Landscapes are more spectacular. It’s almost indescribable really if you haven’t experienced it firsthand.

A couple of months ago, I started thinking that I would like to have my own bike. I shared this with my husband, and he suggested a beginning riders course that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) offers. I registered for the course, and it was this weekend.

After four hours of classroom instruction last night, we were to spend about six hours actually learning how to drive/ride a motorcycle today and again tomorrow. I only made it through three.

They say that part of the purpose in taking the course is to determine whether or not driving a motorcycle is actually for you in a safe and controlled environment. I found I didn’t like it. In fact, it scared me to death. The further along we went, the more frightened I became.

I wish I could say why, but the truth is, I have no idea.

Besides learning how to engage the clutch on a bike, make it go, make it stop (and no, putting your feet down doesn’t work!), etc., I gained a knowledge far more valuable than the in’s and out’s of driving a motorcycle. I was finally able to grasp a truth that has always seemed to be just beyond my reach.

There was no failure in not finishing the course. It was optional. I was there because I thought it was something I wanted to do. Turns out, it was not.

The failure would have come had I never chosen to try it in the first place.

I can tell you honestly that even a year ago that would have been the case. Not anymore.

There are no feelings of failure. Only a sense of accomplishment in not allowing fear to keep me from trying.

Wishing you the courage to chase whatever dream you may be dreaming.

As I consider Thanksgiving today, I am reminded of all for which I have to be thankful. My family, friends, and church family. The abundance of wealth God has blessed me with compared to so much of the world who has not even food or clean water. My health. The ability to see, to hear, to walk. The men and women who put themselves in harm’s way every day so that I may live in freedom. Their families who sacrifice so they may serve. The ability to worship freely without fear of reprisal.

First and foremost, I am ever so thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who by the shedding of His precious blood has set me truly free.

It is a mystery, and I cannot begin to comprehend it, but I am so thankful.

I wish you Thanksgiving blessings!