So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10(NIV)
Have you ever done something foolish as a kid or maybe even as an adult? At the time it seemed like a great idea, but in hindsight you are grateful that you live to tell about it? Great, it’s good to know that I’m not alone. The story that I ‘m about to share with you actually took place. As you can see I actually lived to tell about it, but I would implore that you never try a stunt like this at home.
Growing up in the small southern Ohio town of Portsmouth you can probably imagine that it was hard for kids to find something to do. There wasn’t much around to entertain us (movies, arcades, malls, etc.) Thus, it was customary for us to meet at my house, 2731 Blue Rock Dr., and determine what adventure we planned to embark upon for the day.
I had a lot of friends when I was young, Lance, Josh, and Stephen to name a few, but two in particular were my closet friends. Eric Johnson and Jason Taylor were my partners in crime. Together we formed the Three Musketeers and more often than not found ourselves getting into more mischief than adventure.
When I turned 12 years old I wanted a motorcycle, but my mother thought they were too dangerous so instead she bought me a go-cart. Her logic behind this was that four wheels were safer than two. Little did she know that my uncles, Tommy and David were go cart mechanics and knew how to make my go-cart go faster than the manufacturer intended.
Blue Rock Drive was a very steep hill with a road at the bottom passing between it and Grant St, which was another steep hill. One particular day we came up with a dare devil plan out of sheer boredom. At the time, we thought it was pure genius, but looking back on it, I can definitely say that we are very fortunate to be alive.
Our plan was to build a wooden ramp and put it at the bottom of Blue Rock Dr. Once we hit the ramp our velocity would carry us to Grant St. thus allowing us to become Portsmouth own version of the Duke’s of Hazard.
My Go-cart was a two-seater with room on the back for another to squat down on bars beside the engine. Needless to say we all three went along on this ride. As we picked up speed it became apparent that this may not be a good idea. Once we hit the ramp it shattered into a thousand pieces but not before giving us the required lift we needed to make it to Grant St.
While we were mid flight Eric who was on the back flew off and landed on a nearby parked car. Jason fell out of the passenger seat while getting bit by Sergeant, the evil German shepherd from down the street, and I remained on the go cart as it did a 360 degree turn and landed facing in the opposite direction.
As I reflected on this one of many childhood misadventures it occurred to me that maybe we should have thought our plan through a bit more, but it also made me remember that fearless kid who wasn’t afraid to try anything once.
They say you should never let the kid in you die and I agree with that whole heartedly. As kids we believed that we could do or become anything we wanted to be. It’s not until we become older that we begin to doubt and limit ourselves.
So I ask you, What is your Blue Rock Drive? I want to publish books and motivational writings that encourage and inspire people speaker to pursue their dreams. I want to live a life of impact that makes this world a better place because I was here.
It is my deepest hope that this story helps you to find that fearless kid that still lies deep down inside of you and go after that thing you want. Don’t let fear, doubt or the naysayers deter you from going after your dreams. TAKE A CHANCE, GO FOR IT!!!!!
“True courage is not the absence of fear – but the willingness to proceed in spite of it.”
-Unknown-