Josh’s bike has been out of commission for about 5 months. To a 7 year old it may as well have been out of commission since the dawn of time. The tubes were flat and need to be replaced. It is not a real hard job, even for a mechanically deficient person like me. The only hold up was going to the store and buying the tubes. He got one tube for his birthday in October from his grandpa. The front tire was flat and so after about 3 months that birthday present was finally put on the front tire (it is easier to fix than the back tire!). Earlier this week my wife told me that Josh was out in the garage trying to fix his bike. I came home to tools all over the garage, his wheel and tube undone but not yet off the bike. That back tire is more difficult because of the attachment to the chain. He had done a lot, but couldn’t get that last little bit done. I felt so guilty that I went right out the next day and bought a new tube and came home and fixed his bike. His joy was unmatchable! He rode and yelled and smiled. It was almost like Christmas had come again!
There are at least three lessons that I learned from this experience.
1. The greatest joy that can come into our life is in service to others. The reality is that there will be some sacrifice necessary. Why hadn’t I fixed the bike yet? Until earlier this week I was unwilling for some reason to make the sacrifice necessary. It wasn’t a conscience thing. I just had been “busy.” Too busy to reach out and help. It wasn’t until I made the decision that I was absolutely going to act that the joy of service came into my life. I was capable of fixing the bike and my son was not. Without my help he would never have gotten the bike fixed. All I had to do was step in and serve.
2. The sacrifice needed wasn’t incredibly significant. There are some examples of life changing and wide reaching service that has required amazing levels of sacrifice. For most of us, it is small things that will make the difference. Take out the trash, buy a bike tube, send an email, or saying hello can sometimes be all it takes. What makes this most dangerous is that these small acts of service are so easy to miss. It is so easy to say, “I will buy a tube sometime and get that bike fixed one day.” It is not until you say that you will buy that tube and fix that bike today that your life sees real change. There are two elements that are critical for this: you have to be on the watch and ready to act! The moments will pass and the chances for joy will be gone.
3. Finally, while my son was riding and shouting and smiling, I was the second happiest person in the area. Nothing makes me happier than seeing other people happy. The fastest path to happiness is to work in service to others. George H. W. Bush reminded us, “We all have something to give. So if you know how to read, find someone who can’t. If you’ve got a hammer, find a nail. If you’re not hungry, not lonely, not in trouble-seek out someone who is.” To me, this is the essence of our existence. To find someone who needs the help we can give then reach beyond ourselves and give them the help. Nothing makes your life more meaningful and nothing will bring a bigger smile to more faces.
Freedom. Total Exhilaration. Feeling your heart fly. These are the byproducts of a fixed bike for this 30 something year old dad. You want it? Be on the watch and ready to act.
Jason Harwood has spent years helping other people identify and reach their goals. As the corporate trainer for a $200 million direct sales company he has the opportunity to work with business owners everyday who are looking to do just a little, or a lot, better. Find out more about Jason and read more of his helpful insights at http://www.JasonHarwoodSpeaks.wordpress.com.
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