|
Becoming a driver is about way more than just being able to drive a car. It requires you to have good judgment (on and off track). It’s about being a good role model to young kids and supporting sponsors. Becoming a driver also means submitting to your teams desires, and not making calls based off of your own personal agenda, all while keeping your morals in tact. Weather you can get into an IndyCar and drive it the first time out or not doesn’t make you a driver. It’s everything combined together; making the pieces fit together, and keeping the big picture in mind. Back when I was driving Karts, I finished in a good position sometimes, but I could never be constant in my ability. I lacked a since of judgement on track on when to pass, when to not, and knowing if something was worth the risk or not. I often got in my head and lost the perspective of the goal at hand. I don’t say I was only a fair driver when in karts because of my finish standings, I say it because only sometimes I made good driving decisions, only sometimes I could come back and tell the mechanics what my kart needed, and only sometimes I remembered the track and debris on it to a ’T’, but sometimes I couldn’t. It was my lack in consistency of the fundamentals of driving that made me only a fair driver. When I got into cars, my driving style changed drastically. My approach to track days were completely different. The way I viewed risk vs reward was so different. I had a confidence on track now because I had a responsibility to bring the car back to pits. The goal was no longer to only get out there and drive as fast as I possibly could. The goal was to hit my marks, to shift smoothly, to remember my gage temps, and drive with my head. It was about becoming so good at the fundamentals that going fast would become second nature when the goal at hand was achieved. Not only that, but driving became way more than just what was accomplished on track, but it also became about finding time for fans and sponsors after a race. It was about accomplishing what was best for the team as a whole and not just for myself. I know I still have so much to learn on and off track, but I love looking back on my journey of becoming a driver and see how far I’ve come. The little girl who used to drive karts is not the same person today, but hopefully, a much more level headed driver, spokes person, and has a greater understanding of how I can better help sponsors. Driving is so much more to me than just steering a roaring car, it’s the everything’s in between. It’s knowing and staying true to the bigger picture. Living by Faith, Mianna INSTAGRAM: @MiannaWick FACEBOOK: Mianna Wick Racing Over the years I’ve had to battle with critics and those who openly share their differing opinions with me in racing. The two biggest things that I get put down for is because I am female and because of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve been asked how I handle situations as such, and how my faith differentiates my responses to people. When people choose to disagree with me verbally I think they are either looking to get a “rise out of me”, confirming their choice to dislike me, or to be shown love. I believe that’s why it’s so important to choose my “battles” wisely, and to always respond with grace and love.
I think the hardest thing for me to not take too hard is when people tell me they weren’t impacted positively for the Lord Jesus Christ by my words or actions. It just sort of hits me like a blow below the knees, and regardless of how I respond in the situation, I have a tendency to hold on to those hurts. This morning I was reading in my bible in John 15. In verse 18 it said “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (this was Jesus talking). Jesus further said how He had come here on earth and preached to people who turned away from His teachings, and because they had heard but yet not believed, they had no excuse for their sins. This teaching ended in verse 25b saying “They hated me without reason” (meaning they choose to not believe they could be saved by the Lord Jesus Christ for no lack of proof). I do believe that Christ expressed how some people may not want to believe in Him still today simply because they choose to not. This is something I think I need to keep in mind for those hard times. And, I also know I am not perfect in how I respond to those who disagree with my antics and life choices. I hope to continue growing to only respond in love so that you might come to find Christ and His love as well. Please message me with any questions. :) Dealing with differing opinions and criticism is never easy, but I know God will continue to teach me on how to respond in love. :) Living by Faith, Mianna 1 Timothy 2:9-10
I came across a person on my feed that races cars, trying to make it to a higher level in racing, and they had some pretty immodest (in my opinion) photos. - Now, I'm not saying that this person didn't think they were being immodest, and I'm not poking at this persons judgment on what is modest and what isn't, but I want you to walk through my scenario with me because I have a point with it. - They had thousands of followers on social media. I talked to my husband about it later that night being pretty discouraged. Not because this person had more followers than I did, nor because I think this person was more successful than I, but because it broke my heart to see how this person, who would have the opportunity to impact many many people for Christ's kingdom, choose to spend their time impacting and influencing people to sell their bodies, rather than making a change for something bigger. I want to tell you that I don't personally know this person, for all I know, they could believe in The Lord Jesus Christ and think they are honoring Him in what they do, but let's assume my perspective was right for the example's sake - not judging the person, but looking at the scenario as just a scenario so that you can have a relatable example to connect with. My husband had a great point to my heart's ache. He told me that, yes, they may have more followers watching what they post, but it is probably much more likely that I am making a bigger impact on my followers. Meaning, this other person's followers might think their posts are cool, but I might be changing the lives of my followers for Christ. It's not about the numbers, it's about what you do to change the lives that YOU can. I was reading in my bible this morning and read across 1 Timothy 2:9-10. It expressed how we need to clothe ourself with good deeds and decency for this is appropriate for those who worship Christ. This example I gave you happens all too often. I see it as the "norm" in my career to do "whatever is necessary to make it to a higher level in life" at the cost of their self worth - a worth so substantial they were made by such an amazing creator. I want to just encourage all of you that might be trying to make a way for yourself in this world, whether career, social status, or creating your family's lifestyle, don't submit yourself to our world's standards, break the mold, take the path less walked, cloth yourself in ways that is honorable to Christ (in decency and good deeds, not with pearls and gold). Project your body like it's a temple of Christ. It may be hard, it might get discouraging, but take faith in what matters and help Christ change our world. ❤️ |
