Biking Israel''s Inmates Forward
Mountain Biking in Israel: Passion and Connection to History and Nature
Israel is a land rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. For one avid mountain biker, it is also a place of deep personal connection and passion. Through the challenges and joys of mountain biking, he feels united with the country’s biblical past and the profound beauty of its landscape.
But his love for mountain biking in Israel goes beyond personal enjoyment. He has also found a way to share his passion with a group of juvenile inmates who are incarcerated in a nearby correction facility. Despite their troubled backgrounds and difficult circumstances, he takes them on weekly mountain biking trips, exposing them to the country’s history and natural wonders, while teaching them the values of teamwork, endurance, and perspective.
Through his work with these kids, he has discovered the healing power of unconditional acceptance and love. His vision for the program has shifted from creating a team of winning underdogs to focusing on the importance of love and respect for oneself and others. Mountain biking has become a way to connect with something greater than oneself and to find hope and tolerance in the complexity of life.
The Speaker’s Journey with Juvenile Inmates
For the last four years, the speaker has been taking weekly mountain biking trips with juvenile inmates from a correctional facility in Israel. He initially proposed his idea to the warden and was surprised when the plan was approved. At first, the juvenile inmates had difficulty dealing with obstacles and would give up easily. The speaker learned that staying close to them and showing unconditional acceptance was the best approach during these difficult moments. Over time, the focus of the rides shifted from winning to exposing the kids to love, love for the country, their teammates, and themselves. The speaker also learned to appreciate the value of empathy and flexibility in his approach. By introducing the kids to the history and context of Israel, they gained a better understanding of the complexity of life and became more tolerant. The speaker continues to ride with these kids every Tuesday and Friday and feels blessed to be able to share the beauty of Israel with them.
The inmates struggle with frustration and difficulty, but the speaker has found ways to support and guide them
The speaker faced initial frustration in dealing with juvenile inmates as they found it hard to deal with difficulties and frustration. They had a tendency to give up on small obstacles and steep uphills. However, the speaker found that staying close to them and providing them with emotional support and empathy helped in calming them down. The speaker’s willingness to stay close to the inmates and provide unconditional acceptance helped the inmates gain self-esteem and heal from their traumatic past experiences. The speaker also introduced the concept of focus by giving them a word to think about before every ride. The words such as teamwork, endurance, and resource allocation were used to help them stay focused during the ride. These practices helped the inmates gain a new perspective on life and develop greater tolerance and hope.
The Power of Mountain Biking in Transforming Lives
In the video, we learned about how mountain biking has become a transformative experience for juvenile inmates. The speaker initially started the program with the idea of teaching them how to mountain bike, but he quickly realized that the program was about much more than just biking.
Instead, the focus shifted towards building connections with the kids and showing them love and respect for themselves and others. Through mountain biking, the inmates were able to experience a sense of freedom and accomplishment, which led to increased confidence and self-worth.
The program was not without its challenges, as many of the kids struggled with frustration and difficulty, but the speaker found ways to support and guide them. By the end of each ride, the kids were often exhausted but also filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Overall, the power of mountain biking in transforming lives is truly remarkable. It goes beyond just the physical aspect of the sport and has the ability to build strong connections and positive self-esteem.
Choosing a Focus Word Before Each Ride
Before each ride, the speaker and the kids choose a word to focus on, like “teamwork” or “perspective.” The speaker believes that these words help the kids develop important skills and qualities that they can use both on and off the bike. By focusing on words like “gratitude” and “patience,” the kids learn to appreciate what they have and work through difficult situations. These focus words are a powerful tool for the speaker to teach important life skills to the kids in a fun and engaging way.
Through their rides, the kids learn about the complex history and context of Israel, becoming more tolerant and hopeful.
The program not only teaches the kids about mountain biking but also about the rich and complex history of Israel. The speaker believes that through understanding the history and context of their country, the kids can become more tolerant and open-minded. The speaker believes that this program has made a difference in the lives of these kids, giving them hope for a better future.
The Essence of Living on the Edge in Israel
Mountain biking in Israel not only offers the thrill of adventure but also a unique opportunity to connect with the country’s history and culture. The speaker in the video has been riding with juvenile inmates for four years, taking them on weekly mountain biking trips. Despite the inmates’ struggles with frustration and difficulty, the speaker has found ways to support and guide them, focusing on exposing them to love and respect for themselves and others. Before each ride, they choose a word to focus on, like “teamwork” or “perspective,” and through their rides, the kids learn about the complex history and context of Israel, becoming more tolerant and hopeful. The speaker feels blessed to be able to ride with the kids and experience the essence of living on the edge in Israel.
The Virtues of Empathy, Flexibility, and Focusing on What Works
The speaker’s work with the kids has taught him many valuable lessons, including the importance of empathy, flexibility, and focusing on what does work. The speaker shares how he has had to learn to be flexible with the kids and their needs. He has also had to learn to focus on what does work instead of dwelling on what doesn’t work. The speaker highlights the value of empathy, noting that it has allowed him to connect with the kids on a deeper level and understand where they are coming from. By taking the time to listen to the kids and support them in their struggles, the speaker has been able to build strong relationships with them and help them grow.
Conclusion
Mountain biking in Israel is not just a recreational activity, it’s also a way to connect with the rich history and nature of the country. The speaker of the video has taken this passion for mountain biking a step further and has been taking juvenile inmates on weekly mountain biking trips for four years. The program started as a way to help the kids become more active and learn a new skill, but it quickly turned into something much more meaningful.
The kids face frustration and difficulty on the trails, but with the support and guidance of the speaker, they learn to persevere and overcome their challenges. The program is not just about mountain biking, it’s about exposing the kids to love and respect for themselves and others. The speaker’s original vision for the program changed as he learned the importance of empathy, flexibility, and focusing on what does work.
Before each ride, the speaker and the kids choose a word to focus on, like “teamwork” or “perspective.” Through their rides, the kids learn about the complex history and context of Israel, becoming more tolerant and hopeful. The program teaches the kids that they can achieve great things when they work together and believe in themselves.
The speaker feels blessed to be able to ride with the kids and experience the essence of living on the edge in Israel. His work with the kids has taught him important virtues like empathy and flexibility, and he hopes that the program will continue to inspire and impact the lives of many more kids in the future.
Overall, this program is a beautiful example of how mountain biking can be more than just a sport. It can be a way to make a positive difference in the lives of young people and help them learn important life lessons that they can carry with them forever. The power of mountain biking lies not just in the thrill of the ride, but in the connections and experiences it can create.
