Our friend John has returned from his trip that we have been chronicling in a series of “From the Road” posts. His dispatches have been insightful, corny, hilarious, and reflective. He is a gifted writer in that it has felt like we were along for the ride. We know he envisioned this trip as a life-changing experience. It was something he just had to do. I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity for a conversation about that. This morning, a summary, so very, very John, arrived:
It has been a little over a month since I’ve assimilated back into my typical routines and I have been reflecting on what I may have learned on my odyssey and how I might live differently going forward. As a reminder, my previous lessons shared were:
1. Don’t get too comfortable, the “check engine” light just came on.
2. Do your best, be nice to those you meet, and enjoy the trip.
3. You would be surprised at how many firsts are really just repeats.
4. Everything can only go so far.
5. Hot and cold are an example of how our experiences are just a change in the status quo.
6. It is better to use your stuff and break it than to keep it ready for another day.
7. Don’t hesitate to ask.
8. The best plans change.
9. Posing can cost you the prize.
To these I add the following:
10. When you cut through the distractions we allow to clutter our days, the choices become clear: faith in a god, an ideal, or a purpose larger than yourself; devotion to family and traditions; integrity and loyalty; having fun and keeping things simple.
As the old saying goes “we are all alone in this together”. Yet I met the following 25 wonderful people who made my odyssey immensely better: Larry, Stacey, Keith & Trina, Dan & Laurie, Wayne & Nina; Marvin, Mur & Pat; Craig, Mike, Joe, Tom, Bert, Jeff, Mark & Lana, James, Ken (ASP), Tom & Jean, Shari, and Julia. I hope I was as generous to them as they were to me.
We saw 43 notable animals along the way including: 1 elk; 6 moose; 12 black bears; 7 grizzlies; 3 eagles, 6 loons, 1 osprey; 2 humpback whales; 2 wood bison; 1 stone mountain goat; and 2 stone mountain sheep.
We learned the following 9 Canadian sayings: Eh and Right (everywhere); Mydear (New Foundland); Tied-Up (Alberta); Beauty Right (Prince George); Blubbering A Bib Full and Chewing the Rag (Vancouver Island); It’s all good (Yukon); and Slippy (Prince Edward Island).
The lessons I hope to keep applying include:
* Daily activities are at best a distraction, and more likely avoidance, from the reality that few of us are really prepared to survive.
* Happiness is real only when shared.
* I don’t feel as old as I look.
* Stop, look, listen, and ask.
We are all traveling in a circle.
For some it is like a merry-go-round in that every day they travel in a very small circle. For others it’s more like a rollercoaster with ups and downs and twists and turns that seem new each ride. Regardless we are all born, we live, and then we die. Since that cannot be escaped, we need to break out of our circles and take time for those side trips, eat at different restaurants, try new activities, and talk with strangers.
You cannot imagine the adventures that await.
I thoroughly enjoyed writing these emails to share with the 141 people on the distribution list. Knowing that each of you was waiting to read the next update made me pause and reflect on my daily activities and for that I thank you. Cortney had a 22 minute movie made from some of the pictures and video taken on the trip that is awesome and a wonderful keepsake. I may post it on YouTube some day. I leave you with 4 last pictures from the 436 we have in the photo album.
Its all good – eh.
Photo Credits: John Wayne Barker
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Good stuff my dear.
I laughed and learned a lot from this series.
I hope this is the beginning of a book. You’ve got t he PERFECT outline here.
I’m just sayin…
Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog ..Social Media’s Magic Ingredient
“Daily activities are at best a distraction, and more likely avoidance, from the reality that few of us are really prepared to survive.”
Wow! This one line has my brain really on fire today. Almost too much for a Monday morning…..
Thanks for this — I particularly liked “our daily activities are mostly a distraction.” It’s become important to me to check in with myself and notice whether I’m trying to take my attention off how I’m really feeling by puttering around doing this and that.
Hi Kathy – These dispatches from John have been so illuminating. Now I’m aware and appreciative of parts of him that I never would have had the privilege of getting to know. No doubt he’d say the same about getting to know himself as a result of this trip, too.
Pete and I have often agreed this is the biggest benefit of traveling – you not only become more clear on your place in the world, but your place within yourself, and with each other. You’re right – this would make the genesis of a marvelous book. If I didn’t have another one to start at the moment, this would be it.
Thank you.
Hi Mary – Yes, that one jumped right out at me, also. We busy ourselves and others make busy for us. It’s up to us to extract – AND confront – relevance and meaning from our activities and whom we devote our most time. And if we can’t, to let them go. Something I’ve made inroads with, but have a lot longer way to travel. Thanks.
Hi Chris – Welcome to PassingThru! Like Mary, you were struck by the part of John’s wonderful message on the need to keep it real. Knowing who you are, where you fit, and also, how what you’re doing promotes that in the highest. That would be the very best use of time, wouldn’t it? Thank you.
By golly, I am hoping I can pick up that much wisdom on our next big trip. Well written, fun to read but too much for early morning. I will come to consider later.
I liked them all but I guess my favorite was: 1. Don’t get too comfortable, the “check engine” light just came on.
Pete´s last blog ..LESSONS FROM THE ROAD: IT’S ALL GOOD, EH
And my favorite – “Everything happens for a reason!”
Sounds like you had a grand time! I’m looking forward to such a trip for me and my family as well. Especially with mooses!
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..The Ultimate, MUST HAVE Tip For Your Website
Hi there Betsy – “we need to break out of our circles” – I’m all for breaking out of circles! (I’m hoping to break out of a few more of my own) I enjoyed John’s reflections – particularly the animals and sayings – people say “it’s all good” a lot here, too. – R
Hi Barbara – Do tell about the mooses! I’ve seen you reference them on Twitter, too. And yes, ultimately, it’s a universal truth that there is a reason for everything. Thank you.
Hi Robin – Yes, it’s good to be reminded to break out of our circles, too. We can get so stuck before we realize, can’t we? Thank you.
Hi Betsy. Great words of wisdom: “It is better to use your stuff and break it than to keep it ready for another day.” Plus, if you use it and break it… you get to go shopping for more!
Their trip sounds fabulous and I’m envious BUT appreciative of that RV.
Davina´s last blog ..Group Writing Project: The Yogi Blogger
Hi Betsy,
Thank you for the finale. I’m with Davina on my favorite saying (of Johns). I like John’s attitude of using our stuff and not saving it for ???.
This has been a fun series to follow. I had to laugh at the new language John learned. I also like how he referenced where he learned it. I find it interesting how in different parts of the country, people use different expressions. You know what I mean, eh?
Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Looking Into The Future
Hi Davina – Yes, that RV is quite nice, eh?
Thank you.
Hi Barbara – Oh ya, you betcha I do!
Thanks.