I am just bursting with pride. My eleven year old son and I just returned from his first scouting outing an accomplished scouter. The trip was to Damascus, VA to ride on the Virginia Creeper trail. His task was riding 51 miles on the trail to complete one of the requirements for his cycling merit badge and he did so on a bike a little too big for him. When we left yesterday morning, I watched him mount his bike. The trip coordinator commented that he was concerned he wouldn’t make it since we had only done one ten mile ride in preparation and the bike wasn’t ideal for his size. Most of the first 17 miles were downhill. The next 17 were at a slight uphill and that’s when it got a bit difficult. We stopped for lunch at mile 34 and I told him that he didn’t have to finish if he didn’t think he could do it. There was a sag vehicle that could take us both back. I didn’t want to discourage him but at the same time, I wanted him to know that there would be other opportunities. Charge on was his response. At mile 38, he was off his bike and near tears. I suggested I ride back to the lunch spot and get help though I reminded him that was 4 miles back and that if we rode four miles in the direction of our destination, it would mean we were half done with the last third. Onward again. I told him I was so proud of his persistence and that he had set a goal and was going after it. We finished the ride yesterday afternoon and he was so glad he had finished. The surprised scout leaders said, “Russell, we expect great things from you now we know what you can do.” I expect great experiences for both of us in our scouting years together. Though I never earned the cycling merit badge myself, I suspect I will complete all the requirements with my son. Maybe by the time you read this.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies. He is founder of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com