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THE MEASURE OF A MAN
I know what
you are thinking, what the heck does this title have to do with
going fast around a motocross track. Well, if you have been
reading my rider tips for the past 10 years or so, then you might
have noticed that more often than not, I choose to write more
about ones character, than just describing how to use a control or
how to stay balanced. The reason for this, is what I feel is most
important, and at the root of being successful in motocross or any
facet of life for that matter. The best place to learn riding
techniques is at the track from a qualified instructor. I would
venture to say that for most of those who read rider tips, 2
minutes after reading it, they forget all about it and never
actually get it to the track, let alone practice it correctly. So
I think that writing on ideas about how a rider or parent
approaches the sport with the way they think, might have a greater
impact towards the big picture.
Let me start
by ruffling a few feathers, here it is, ready…MOTOCROSS ISN’T THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE. Ok, now I’ve said it, many might
disagree with me, and it seems like blasphemy that I myself make
my living in motocross and have been in the sport since 1972. But
the bottom line is that it just isn’t as important as my wife, my
family, our country, our moral values, our relationship with God,
or as important as you that are reading this. Motocross is just a
sport, or lifestyle, or an addiction or even a god that we are all
guilty of sometimes getting a bit too serious about. Trust me, I’m
as guilty as the next person, but when I see parents or even the
riders themselves pushing to hard, or putting to much pressure on
their children or themselves to win, you kind of have to take a
step back and ask, “what’s going on?” This is not a measure of a
man. Let me ask you this; is the guy in 14th place less
of a man than the guy in first? And if there is a 40 man gate, is
there one man and 39 others that don’t measure up?
Look at the
pressures that society is placing on us and our children. We are
so obsessed with success and winning, that we can’t see the trees
through the forest. The parents are so obsessed with their
children’s success and winning; they are many times just blind,
period. I really feel that motocross like many other sports are
awesome tools for teaching your child values that are far reaching
and life changing, but just like computers or television, they can
be used the wrong way.
Here are what
I feel are the four faces of manhood, and this applies not just to
the riders, but parents as well. These ideas are from a book
titled “The quest for authentic manhood” by Robert Lewis.
Face #1.
The King. This is a face reflecting righteous energy,
or doing what is right. This face is characterized by, a) strong
convictions, b) courageous moral choices, c) a servant spirit, d)
righteous leadership.
Face #2.
The Warrior. This is a face reflecting conquering energy.
This is a face characterized by, a) initiative, b)
protecting, c) providing, d) fighting (fight the good fight).
Face #3.
The Lover. This is a face reflecting romantic energy.
This face is characterized by, a) tenderness, b)
sensitivity, c) sacrificial care, d) emotional openness, e)
physical affection. This can be for a husband towards his wife, or
for children and their feeling towards their family and friends.
Face #4.
The Friend. This face is reflecting connecting energy.
This face is characterized by, a) loyalty, b) accountability, c)
challenge, d) fun. “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens
another”.
So I believe
if you work on your own character, or your children’s character,
you can form strong convictions and many of the things listed
above, this will form beliefs which fuel passion, and passion
rarely fails. How much easier will it be to put in the time, the
effort, the pains, and all the stresses we subject ourselves to,
to become successful at something that isn’t the most important
thing in life. I don’t have all the answers, but if I can get you
to think about some of the things that truly measure a man, then
maybe Carmichael or Stewart aren’t any more of a man than you or
I, and I think they would be the first to tell you that.
Respectfully,
Larry Morton
5 Magics
Motocross School
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