Some times we just need a little help.  A helping hand or a shoulder to lean on. A gentle nudge along the correct path.  A few kind words at just the right moment to change the course of our day.  How many times have you felt this way?  I know that I have and when it happens, it makes all the difference.

As I was thinking of training wheels, you know, the ones on our bikes when we were just learning to ride.  We haven’t learned the balance thing yet.  We need those tiny little wheels on our left and our right to help hold us up.  Honestly they’re probably not holding much of our weight or the bikes, but what they provide in stability and guidance are invaluable to us at that moment.  Just when we needed them.  Then that scary day comes along when our Dad grabs the wrench and starts to remove those wheels.  Our heart starts beating like crazy, and we have a great sense of trepidation over what might happen without our little friends.

But dad doesn’t just let us take off on our own.  He’s right there with us, holding the back of our seat, jogging lightly along side us all the way.  Up and down the street we ride, gaining strength from that feeling there are no wheels.  Now Dad is sweating up a storm by now, but he doesn’t let go yet.  He’s still there.  Solid as a rock.  Somewhere during the whole event he knows just the right moment to let up on his grip.  Lightly holding the seat feeling through the vibration and steadiness of our riding that we’ve become well balanced.  He let’s go and we’re just chatting away as if he’s still there.  Nope, he’s stopped.  And we’re doing it!

We need more Dad’s in our lives like that.  It seems we’re always learning new things, experiencing more that life has to offer.  If we’re lucky, we have those few people in our lives that we can say are the rocks that we can lean on, or the compass when we’re off track and need guidance.  I’ve found that I need training wheels when I’m learning something new.  It helps.  But over time, I gain that confidence and strength to take off on my own.  My mentor watches proudly from the sidelines.  I find success in that thing I’m doing and feel good about it.  All of these things happen to me and I get the joy of being able to share that with others as I gently hold the seat they’re on.

Be someone’s training wheels tomorrow.  Guide them along as they need it, or steady their course.  You’ll find more joy in the day when you’ve given this gift and stand back proud of that person’s success.

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