One of the great pleasures of my journey has been meeting all sorts of interesting and fascinating people. I have mentioned a few encounters thus far, but there have been many more. I will share a few in the next entries.
"But what about when you're starving?"
In the little logging community of Woss, I met a logger at the local restauraunt. In a gruff sorta way, he was incredulous that I was biking from Smithers to Vancouver. "But where do you get the money do that?" I tried to explain about things going well, the universe being generous, divine light, etc... but before I could start, he interjected "But what about when you're starving?" He repeated this question several times.
His question really stuck with me as I later sailed off down the road. I could just barely conceive of what he meant. I could feel how it was a question born out of a mindset that jarred with my own. I suppose it was the difference between being mindful of what you have rather than what you don't have.
After having a fantastic meal of local halibut, a coffee refill, and feeling fully satisfied by a good morning's ride, starvation was the furthest thing from my mind. Rather the beautiful day, the nice waitress, the warm e-mails from my friends, the coming ride, all eclipsed any such anxieties.
In a far corner of my mind I could see how drastic occurrences could lead me to be destitute on the side of the road in a day or two-- perhaps foraging for wild mushrooms or roots in the moss... But such shadowy contingencies were quickly overwhelmed by the brilliance of the wonderful day and meal that I was enjoying. I tried to assure him "But right now I am not starving! Right now everything is great. Its a grand day!"
I don't know if he really heard me though. His parting words were, "Sure, today is good, but tomorrow will be better."
I could not agree.
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