It fascinates me to no end to find that no matter how far and fast we go, the nuances that make up the human condition seem to always get there first. I’m a high school graduate with a college degree yet only now at 25 has my education began. Behavioral Science 101 is in session every time I walk into a gas station convenience store where the cashier greets me with a humble ‘Hello’ and subtle smile. I regret to inform those reading this that I my not always smile back but I acknowledge their details none-the-less.
Before leaving for this trip I had a few words with close friends, explaining to them that their own qualities have helped to mold the person that stood before them at that moment. I proceeded to tell them I hoped to re-inspire them to take the next step in their own life. We’ve been on the road now for about 2 weeks and I believe something has changed in me for if I was to rewrite that meager speech now it would be exponentially more aggressive. I’d demand that they take what the world has to offer and challenge them competitively to one up my journey by taking on an adventure of their own.
Speaking with anyone who’s accomplished some kind of extensive trip usually breeds the phrase: “Hey, if you ever have the opportunity you should definitely do it.” Fuck that, I wholeheartedly disagree. Instead you should take a month to save your money to cover the following month’s bills, ask for forgiveness from those who you are about to leave for the next 30 days, and just go. Hopefully when you look back you won’t feel so much like a thief for taking the opportunity you created.
Leave that 2 mile radius around your home that you call your neighborhood and expand your view on what’s out there. The world is bigger than what your Google Maps App is showing you and the only way to experience it – not see it, really experience it – is to be there. Stroll into a small town far away and exchange a genuine ‘Hello’ with someone who lives a completely opposite life from your own only to discover for yourself that you are no better than they are and they are no better than you. Keep your options open to the hospitality of a stranger and should the scenario not arise, offer your own help to a stranger. We’ve had quite a few break downs thus far, where being on the side of a highway can easily leave you feeling helpless even with two of your closest friends at your side. One would be surprised as to how many people pulled over to check on us. Truthfully, about half couldn’t help us, whether they had no tools, a lack of insight on how to solve our issue or no trailer to get an immobile bike on the road, yet their presence offered a boost in our own morale for these people stood right there with us, just as helpless.
If you sit there and prepare a phrase such as “I don’t ride motorcycles though, I can’t take a trip like this” then I urge you to re-read this and take note of the fact that I am not telling anyone to get on two wheels to see the country; explore by any means as that is what is important here. Take a sharpie and jot down that list of excuses just before you set that piece of stationary on fire. Discover for yourself what is actually important to you by leaving behind what you thought you needed. I’m no purist, I didn’t toss my iPhone into the salt flats but for every dated motel room we settle in to that fancy box with the moving pictures gets shoved to the side to make room for our gear and to make way for some actual work to get done. You tell me you saw on the news that there is a war going on outside and I’ll tell you after 3000 miles not one bullet has crossed in front of me. The fear of danger that lurks around every corner or the comfort of that job that pays your bills will keep you from taking what you deserve from life, so challenge yourself to go see something new, I’ll see ya when you get back.
The adventure through the unknown is the wind upon the face of a free man. It is not a wind that blows against you to hinder or stop you but a wind that gently whispers – come free men come, find me, discover me !!
Truly inspiring Marc! Keep at it fellas and see ya when you get back.
When I turned 50 I was hired to work at a boy scout camp as a director for 9 weeks a summer for 5 years. At first I said no but kept getting calls to do it . I did it and learned so much about boys and scoutmasters and life and the youth do respect us if we show them we care. It was the best job I ever had and miss it now. I never had any trouble with any of them and now I can go anywhere within five states and people know who I am , come up to me and say hello. My best wishes are with you for a grand adventure , my only regret was I did not keep a journal.