Biker Karma

    I do believe I'm going to aim at writing this blog without the use of photographs to retain your attention, merely to see who's more interested in the blog than the images. But I may decide otherwise along the way.

   Now, I understand that not all people are the same; and bikers are no exception. That said, I'm going to speak on behalf of the bikers that I regularly associate with and call my brothers. Each as any other human, unique in character and personality but each share a fundamental trait that is pretty common in biker culture; respect.

    If an individual is able to prove themselves to possess the qualities of integrity, respect, and reliability, they gain a certain level of respect that few ever really get to experience. I'm a man who strives to live a simple life, simple does not mean lacking in complexity but merely that my core life values are pretty easy to understand.

    Those who know me understand that I'm not a man of money. I spend pretty much every dollar trying to keep my family afloat as does any other "lower class" man. I make enough to survive and that's about it. Men like me come to understand the value of integrity and honesty as well as a willingness and genuine desire to contribute to helping others. Because by having a genuine interest in helping others, the mystical ways of the universe create biker karma. A simpler way of looking at it is that people like me build a genuine kinship like bond with those we choose to associate with.

    I have a very, very select few people that I choose to associate with; which to count wouldn't exceed the use of one hand. But these individuals know that if they need a hand or two to help out with a project, or to build a fence, hell even to mow the yard, they know they can count on me any time I'm available. They know that simply asking, they will receive any assistance I can afford. And by being so eager to help these brothers and family, I have always been taken care of.

    I can remember the day that one of my closest brothers invited me to his bike shop. He offered me a crazy hourly rate to help out around the shop as I could, an hourly wage I've never known before. A credit based rate that would contribute to getting maintenance assistance and provisions on my bike that I normally cannot afford. Living a lower class life, the most expensive thing I own is my Harley and due to that luxury, I do without virtually everything else that most average people get to enjoy. I do not have a car, I sacrificed a rental house and moved in with my queen in her apartment. I eat, sleep, and breath my biker life; something most of the world would frown upon or think foolish.

    But I digress, the relationship with this particular friend started on a credit basis assistance founded virtually entirely upon an act of faith. He did not know me personally, and made this choice based on my work ethic and personality alone. Today, though the credit foundation still exists, I've developed a level of respect and trust with this brother that ensures that pretty much anything I need, he'll help me get. By not abusing his friendship, and offering a genuine desire to help in any way that I can, I've earned a level of karma that has always taken care of me in the end.

    Being who I am, I analyze and over-analyze absolutely everything in my life no matter how big or small it may be. And if there is even just one bit of knowledge that I could pass onto the next generation (my boy), it would be this; Live a humble life, and never believe that you are better than anybody else. You are human and nothing more. Live a life of service; serve your brothers and those around you. Never believe you are above a task. This is not to say you should ever accept anything less than respect, but rather it is to say that you must in every waking moment be willing to earn that respect. If you earn your respect, you will always be taken care of. If you're willing to give the cloths of your back to a brother, your brother will do the same for you. Sometimes you may put forth more effort than you believe it is worth at that time, but you'll find out later on that the favor will always be returned. And lastly, it is my hope that you will heed this warning.

    If you fail to be genuine in your actions, you will fail. If you only help others to get something out of it, you will pay for it. A selfish heart is a destructive one that leaves a wake of damage along its path. And you can only hurt so many people before you're left alone to fend for yourself; and if you burn the wrong bridges you may find yourself fighting to live at all. So be good to people, and be sincere in your heart. Help others simply because you can, and never keep a record of the balance. Concern yourself only with what you can do to help and you'll find yourself surrounded by loved ones of whom you thank the Lord for every day.

MLH&R
Ziptie

Memories I'll never forget