- Joined
- Jan 4, 2013
- Messages
- 747
This is probably a strange topic, but one that may be helpful.
Here's something I hear all the time at work when I ride my bike in:
"You must have the coolest parents! My parents would kill me before I ever got a motorcycle!"
Well, not really. When I expressed my desire for getting a bike, my parents constantly told me that I would die, constantly told me every horror story, and constantly brought up every single argument with well-researched facts.
So what did I do? I took baby steps.
The first part showed that I am doing prior research, being safe/smart, and serious in my endeavor by investing, but I'm also not jumping directly to the goal. Everything slowly, smoothly leads to the goal. Sure, I offered my own opinions in discussions, but I never yelled. I just did the steps.
After I finally got my bike, I still heard "death stories" every week, but it slowly waned. Now, they never tell me "death stories," and instead, I hear things like "yes, you should ride your motorcycle to maintain your skill and practice" or "I saw some idiot biker today! at least our son went about it safely." They're completely supportive, and I very, very rarely hear negativity anymore.
Now, if you truly love something, then of course, do it, but if you can do it without heated arguments, even better, right? My friend also got a bike... bought the bike first (not the gear first)... yelled with parents over and over... still yells with them (even though he's been riding more than me). Are his parents more "evil" than mine? I just don't think so.
My next example is moving out-of-state. Before I moved out-of-state, I traveled to some places. They just got used to me "traveling" and being away. Then I lived out-of-state for a couple of years. No problem. I live back home now due to money/economy. And see? They still liked me enough to allow me to stay with them until I get enough money again haha. Thankfully, I do have enough money now, but just haven't moved out again yet.
Finally, if you do love something -- like I said -- definitely pursue it. Even if the steps don't work, pursue it. However, following baby steps and even feigning research can help it sink in better and produce less conflict back home.
Here's something I hear all the time at work when I ride my bike in:
"You must have the coolest parents! My parents would kill me before I ever got a motorcycle!"
Well, not really. When I expressed my desire for getting a bike, my parents constantly told me that I would die, constantly told me every horror story, and constantly brought up every single argument with well-researched facts.
So what did I do? I took baby steps.
- First, I researched and bought motorcycle gear.
- Then, I signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course.
- After passing, I then went and got my license.
- Finally, I bought my bike, and asked my parents if I could follow their car back home.
The first part showed that I am doing prior research, being safe/smart, and serious in my endeavor by investing, but I'm also not jumping directly to the goal. Everything slowly, smoothly leads to the goal. Sure, I offered my own opinions in discussions, but I never yelled. I just did the steps.
After I finally got my bike, I still heard "death stories" every week, but it slowly waned. Now, they never tell me "death stories," and instead, I hear things like "yes, you should ride your motorcycle to maintain your skill and practice" or "I saw some idiot biker today! at least our son went about it safely." They're completely supportive, and I very, very rarely hear negativity anymore.
Now, if you truly love something, then of course, do it, but if you can do it without heated arguments, even better, right? My friend also got a bike... bought the bike first (not the gear first)... yelled with parents over and over... still yells with them (even though he's been riding more than me). Are his parents more "evil" than mine? I just don't think so.
My next example is moving out-of-state. Before I moved out-of-state, I traveled to some places. They just got used to me "traveling" and being away. Then I lived out-of-state for a couple of years. No problem. I live back home now due to money/economy. And see? They still liked me enough to allow me to stay with them until I get enough money again haha. Thankfully, I do have enough money now, but just haven't moved out again yet.
Finally, if you do love something -- like I said -- definitely pursue it. Even if the steps don't work, pursue it. However, following baby steps and even feigning research can help it sink in better and produce less conflict back home.
