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Morning Stretch

Morning Stretch – Choices

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Morning Stretch
Stretch is a new inspirational writer to CRN and avid rider in the biker community

I believe that what we get out of life is what we’ve set ourselves up to get, so there’s no such thing as an inconsequential decision. Our destinies are the culmination of all the choices we’ve made along the way, which is why it’s imperative to listen hard to your inner voice when it speaks up. Don’t let anyone else’s noise drown it out. We should assume every event has significance and contains a message that pertains to our questions…this especially applies to what we used to call bad things…the challenge is to find the silver lining in every event, no matter how negative.

Life is filled with unanswered questions, but it is the courage to seek those answers that give meaning to life. You can spend your life wallowing in despair, wondering why you were the one who was led towards the road strewn with pain, or you can be grateful that you are strong enough to survive it. If I meet with a disappointment, the sooner I know it, the more of life I will have to wear it off.

If you had started doing anything two weeks ago, by today you would have been two weeks better at it. In case you never get a second chance: don’t be afraid!  And what if you do get a second chance? You take it! The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now, to the fullest. Do what matters, now. When you’re a good person on the inside, nothing in the world can change that about you. negativity is the result of one’s lack of self-confidence, self-worth, and self-acceptance.: If you can’t accept yourself, then certainly no one else will. Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering! 

Stretch

Morning Stretch – Life Inspiration

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Morning Stretch
Stretch is a new inspirational writer to CRN and avid rider in the biker community

NEVER FORGET!

September 11, 2001, is a day that lingers in the hearts and minds of many Americans, especially those who were there for the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center.

Almost 3,000 people lost their lives during the attacks at the Twin Towers, Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93. Many died in trying to help the injured during the terrorist attacks on our nation, and it’s a day to honor their lives, courage, and memories. It is a day of remembrance.

At 8:46 am ET, American Airlines Flight 11 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:03 a.m. ET, United Airlines Flight 175 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) hit the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:37 a.m. ET, American Airlines Flight 77 (traveling from Dulles, Virginia, to Los Angeles) hit the Pentagon Building in Washington. And at 10:03 am. ET, United Airlines Flight 93 (traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco) crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

This day is also a time to show that we will never forget the horrific events that occurred. It was one of the worst days in our American history, in which we saw some of the bravest acts. We learned that the unthinkable could happen and did!  It was intended to break our spirit, but instead, we became more unified and stronger.

It showed us that life is so precious of a gift.  The fathers, mothers brothers and sisters, the grief, the fire and ash, the last phone calls and the funerals of children. Every life has a purpose, and that we have a responsibility to those that we, Americans and the World NEVER forgets.

Twenty years have passed since a perfect blue sky morning turned into the blackest of nights. Since then, we have lived in sunshine and shadow, although we can never unsee what happened here. We can also see that children who lost their parents have grown into young adults, grandchildren have been born, and good works and public service have taken root to honor those we loved and lost. Please remember that on September 10, 20 years ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning.  343 Firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 Police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.

None of them saw past 10:00am September 11, 2001. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted! In just a single moment, life may never be the same.

Stretch

Morning Stretch – Thoughts & Inspirations

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Morning Stretch
Stretch is a new inspirational writer to CRN and avid rider in the biker community

By: Stretch McClure

With all the crap going on in this world, people are offended by everything. To me, too many people have that “want everything for nothing attitude!” The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!

It is the possibility that keeps us going, and though you may call me a dreamer or a fool or any other thing, I believe that anything is possible. Well done is better than well said. So believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who said it, no matter if I have said it unless it agrees with your reason and your own common sense.

The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most challenging thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don’t let them put you in that position. If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying.

There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever. It is not the failure of others to appreciate the abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs. Nothing will work unless you do! If people refuse to look at you in a new light and they can only see you for what you were, only see you for the mistakes you’ve made, if they don’t realize that you are not your mistakes, then they have to go.

Then, start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible! Sometimes it’s not enough to know what things mean. Sometimes you have to know what things don’t mean.

Be safe and keep the shiny side up!

Morning Stretch – Thoughts & Inspirations

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Morning Stretch
Stretch is a new inspirational writer to CRN and avid rider in the biker community

May is designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. That being said and myself being a biker over 42 years, I would like to talk about it and maybe share some tips on keeping that shiny side up.

Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to crashes than other drivers. Since the late 80’s and early 90’s, the big Boom in motorcyclist finding the freedom and comradery upon our roadways increase majorly and with that motorcycle safety also became an issue of increasing concern – fatalities involving drivers and motorcyclists increased 131 percent, according to NSC. In 2007, the mileage death rate for motorcyclists in 2007 was 37 times greater than for passenger car occupants.

Many crashes occur because motorcycles are hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Drivers should always make a visual check for motorcyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic. Throughout spring and summer, the number of motorcyclists on the road will increase. It is important for both motorists and motorcyclists to be aware of one another. Here are some tips from the NSC:

  1. Passenger car drivers must allow greater following distance behind a motorcycle.
  2. Drivers also must show extra caution in intersections. Most crashes occur when a driver fails to see a motorcyclist and turns left in front of a motorcycle.
  3. Drivers should never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Always give a motorcycle the full lane width.
  4. Motorcyclists should avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
  5. Motorcyclists should position their motorcycles to avoid a driver’s blind spot.
  6. Motorcyclists must use turn signals for every turn or lane change.

Now let me add some experience to the mix! Do not take me wrong, everything written above is good.  But those of us with 100’s of thousands of miles under our asses will tell you that Over Confidence of skills and abilities is just as dangerous!  99% of my brothers and sisters who ride to live, live to ride will tell you; “if you ride enough, you will go down!” I average 3 or more incidents on a 100-mile ride of being crowded off the road or near misses.  Especially with all the traffic in the Denver area. I have had 3 crashes and 1 blowout on I-70 with my lady riding with me. 

All four of those incidents could have been avoided if I just set my confidence aside and made good decisions.

First – A car in front turned on their right turn signal and started to turn right but made a change and turned back to the left cutting me off and I hit her in the side. Her fault but if I would not have accelerated, I would have had time to maneuver or stopped.  

Second – I was riding home from Tri State car show. My friend Bear and I were in the show and when it ended, it had started snowing.  Bear said, “Hell brother let’s get Jimmy and his trailer to take us home”.  Not me, I decided I would ride. I-25 was mostly slushy, and a lady in a car slowed down to show her kids my bike and how crazy us bikers are riding in the snow.  Well, when we got to the bridge where I-25 goes over I-70, it was cover with about 3 inches of snow. The car stayed beside me not knowing that her splash back from her tires was splashing against my front tire. I tried some maneuvers but lost control and slid 175 ft on my stomach and side, then hit the concrete barriers. Luckily, I walked away, and Bear and Jimmy seen me and took me home. Again, a choice was made.

Third – my old chopper is fast and with my ego, or the Devil on my right shoulder told me! Don’t wait on that tractor and trailer to make  that merge onto I-76. Punch it and go around him! I knew I had the power, and I am very confident in my abilities. Again, I made that choice and as I went around the truck there was debris and an oil slick from an accident the day before and as I tried to maneuver around a piece of metal, I hit the oil slick at over 100 miles per hour. Well, my ass hit the pavement and I slid 200 feet plus.  I walked away and rode home.  Not even realizing how lucky I was.

Fourth –  was when I had the rear tire blowout on I-70, with my lady Rianna on back of me. I realized my mortality! I was responsible for her life too! People who were riding behind us and seen this happen, were in shock! We took up two lanes of traffic with the power skids for a quarter of a mile. The riders said, we went out of sight three times as they looked through the window of the car between us. I told my love to hold tight like we are one. Everything slows down and your vision narrows with fear. Looking for a way to make sure she makes it out of here alive. In seconds, I heard Rianna whisper in my ear “you got this Honey” and we were in the emergency lane of I-70. The vehicles on the highway had all come to a complete stop. People jumping out of the cars to congratulate me on my expert riding skills!  We never went all the way down, but it had to be experience, because I didn’t remember anything I did to prevent us from going down. Munky Mark came to the rescue and took us home and he quoted statistics to us during our trip. Munky said at 90mph with a rear tire seal break, 97% end up in a crash, but the one you beat  brother is 69% don’t live to talk about it. 

Munky and I talked about the incident and found that the error was my over confidence that my bike was ready to go without checking my tire pressure.  I ran low tire pressure due to the bike being a rigid frame chopper and that is my shocks.  But by not riding it for a month due to snow, the air pressure had dropped and then the additional weight of my lady riding with me, could have sent us to the unknown. Know your limitations, pre-trip your bikes, error on the side of safety and YOU will have a better chance of making it home!

As always, Keep the shiny side up!

Morning Stretch – Cancel Culture

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Morning Stretch
Stretch is a new inspirational writer to CRN and avid rider in the biker community

By Stretch McClure

Cancel Culture and Effect!  These acts of public shaming have always been present.  Now, this modern form of public shaming takes on a new name:  Cancel Culture.

There is no single accepted definition of cancel culture, but at its worst, it is about unaccountable groups successfully applying pressure to punish someone for perceived wrong opinions.  The victim ends up losing their job or is significantly harmed in some way well beyond the discomfort of merely being disagreed with.  Some of this is in censorship, false statements, context, to as far as destruction of statues and history.

The ability to twist information to fit one’s argument.  It is just scary to see someone or thing, drop so fast based on somebody’s story which could have absolutely been falsified.  You may know them as an idol or hero, it makes it hard to support the person or the representation of history, when that representation that you respect or look up to, gets so much hate!  Being cancelled in this fashion, causes a limbo, and then hate.

It just goes too far and does more damage than repair.  I believe once anything is canceled, it become hard to make a genuine apology, and even if you do people still might not believe you.

There are new consequences for saying or doing racist, bigoted, or otherwise terrible things.  All because a mob has taken undue offense to a clumsy or out-of-context remark.  We all make mistakes!  We should acknowledge that and learn from it.  I feel that Cancel Culture is a cancer, and it will spread, not for the good of humanity, but the loss of history and the hard lessons, we have learned and lived in!

Seeing the out-of-control mobs (yes, I said mobs) roaming city streets, tearing down statues and destroying historical markets should shock every American.  The fact that most of the SOB’s are ignorant of who they are attacking is a sad example of the education system our children and grand children are being subjected to.   The destruction of history will not make you feel good about the present.  The destruction of statues usually shows a general insecurity and lack of confidence.  Destroying silent monuments or the legacies of the dead offers no rebuttal or resistance.  There are remedies for removal of monuments and statues, and these mob groups choose to deface or tear down these statues at night or under the cover of darkness so they cannot be identified.  This just shows the continued cowardness of these individuals.  The fix is to hold people accountable, at whatever level.

Some people also blame their current situation on the past and believe that destroying long-dead supposed enemies will liberate them – or at least make them feel better.

Morning Stretch – Thoughts & Inspiration

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Morning Stretch
Stretch is a new inspirational writer to CRN and avid rider in the biker community

By Stretch McClue

With all the bad information from the media etc.  I feel wisdom can be gathered on your downtime.  Wisdom that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television.

Of course, bad information is gathered in your downtime too.  Bad information that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television.

One of wisdom’s greatest benefits, is accurate discernment, the learned ability to immediately tell right from wrong, good from evil, and acceptable from unacceptable.  Time well spent from time wasted.  The right decision from the wrong decision.  Many times, this is simply a matter of having the correct perspective.  One way to define wisdom is THE ABILITY TO SEE, INTO THE FUTURE, THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR CHOICES IN THE PRESENT.

That ability can give you a completely different perspective on what the future might look like…with a degree of intelligence and a hint of wisdom, most people can tell the difference between good and bad.

It truly takes a wise person to discern the oh-so-thin line between good and best and that line gives you the perspective that allows you to clearly see the long-term consequences of your choices. 

It is always about timing.  It is too soon, no-one understands.  If it is too late, everyone has forgotten.

Change is Coming – Morning Stretch

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Stretch McClure is an avid rider and new writer for Colorado Rider News

Change is coming! Prepare you and your families and friends. Remember If you say you can or you can’t, you are right either way. Taking the decision-making process away from people disempowers them. It also makes them much less likely to buy into the decision, however right it may be. One’s own conscience remains the ultimate arbiter. Keep high aspirations, moderate expectations and small needs.

Be mindful of the link between action and outcome. Ask yourself: If I repeat today’s action 365 times, will I be where I want to be in a year? One of the Secrets in Life is to Make Stepping Stones out of Stumbling Blocks. Remember some people are Slinkies…they’re really good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

In reality there are no limitations. They are vibrant and changeable to whatever form you want them to take to realize your goals. It is not enough if you just live life as it comes to you like a floating leaf in a pond. Make use of the powers bestowed in you and soar like an eagle.

What I am trying to say is people, are powerfully afraid of rejection. We do not survive well alone, so most as a species are especially vulnerable to thoughts that make us afraid the rest of the “tribe” will desert us to die a sad, lonely death. Your core, lying deep within you, is what makes you what you are. Some call it the soul, the Higher Self, the true self, the being and so on. The name is unimportant once you realize that you are more than your looks and outward appearance. You can’t hang around waiting for somebody else to pull your strings. Destiny’s what you make of it. You have to face whatever life throws at you. And if it throws more than you’d like, more than you think you can handle? Well then you just have to find the heroism within yourself and play out the hand you’ve been dealt. The universe never sets a challenge that can’t be met. You just need to believe in yourself in order to find the strength to face it. If you take any step, no matter how small it is, towards achieving your dreams then you will surely find the right path and reach the happiness and goals that lies in store for you.

Have a great Week!

Morning Stretch

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Stretch is a new writer to CRN and avid rider

By Stretch McClure

I am thrilled to be a new contributor to Colorado Rider News magazine.  I have followed the growth of this publication for several years and am pleased to have my daily affirmations now posted in a larger forum.  So here we go!

We will open a new book in 2021. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day! Each New Year, we have before us a brand-new book containing 365 blank pages. Let us fill them with all the forgotten things from last year—the words we forgot to say, the love we forgot to show, and the charity we forgot to offer.

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You are doing things you have never done before, and more importantly; you are Doing Something. So that is my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody is ever made before. Do not freeze, do not stop, do not worry that it is not good enough, or it is not perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you fear doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever. Have a SPECTACULAR 2021!