Episode 14: Providence

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

― C.S. Lewis 

Chelan Countryside

As most summers, it's filled with sun, friends, little school, and being spontaneous. On the last day of July, after breaking 2,100 views, I started thinking what would readers like yourself like to read about? I doubt the usual what I ate for dinner, family vacations and how awesome the new Batman movie is, but rather something that entertains, a light read, something one could learn and maybe change the course of your decisions and maybe your life. Your personal legend. So here's my life lesson for July: Providence.

Beauty doesn't really get much better than this.

What does one not talk about with new acquaintances? Religion and politics. I don't talk about religion much because of the fact that many people have strong beliefs and opinions toward such things. But I am here to break that. Whether you have been reading this frequently or for the first time, I'm forcing you to read this. Actually, in reality I'm not forcing you to do anything because this is a free country and you can close this window at anytime. It's only to boost my view count. Yes, I'm using you. How about that, Dr. Reverse Psychology?

Antilon Lake, Chelan

In July, I went to Ellensburg, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Wenatchee, Chelan, and most of the cities in between. Something liberating about that was traveling mostly by bicycle. While the greater distances was through public transportation, I tried my best to ride to my places of destination. And through the graces of good people out there. Like Trader John from Entiat who gave me a 1/2 lb. of cherries because they hadn't opened yet. Thank you.

All Trader John said was "just remember me in your will."

Ambition is addictive. 100 miles to Chelan? That's 10 hours on the bike. Sure. But my body said no. And I thought, "why not see if I can hitch a ride?" So I hitchhiked for the first time. You don't know what you don't know. I met and rode to Chelan with a pleasant fellow by the name of Mark Pilling who lives and works in his truck... that's also a camper, as seen below. He sells and services satellite equipment for TV, VoiP, and internet, which requires him to travel all over the U.S., such as relief services after Hurricane Katrina for which he ended up staying for 7 years. We also had an intelligent discussion on the origin of man and the Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints history. It was as if we were long-time friends reuniting on a road trip.

Thanks Mr. Pilling for the ride and conversation.

Let me tell you a story. About a couple of souls with a wonderful heart. Lindsey, Maddy, and I taught the children of Macau and came back living through the good and the bad, the adventures and the lazy days and came back (speaking for myself) a new man. Ever read The Secret? Neither have I, but what I can tell you about this self-help book is simple: Think the way you want to live. Ever read Paolo Coelho's books? I've read 2.25. The Zahir, The Pilgrimage, and my current read, The Alchemist (thank you Sam). If you're not fond of reading, which would be ironic since you've gotten this far, his weekly blog is an acceptable, financially non-committal, inspiring read.

Lindsey & I

Maddy & I

Quotes from The Pilgrimage, which I admittedly looked up on BrainyQuote because the books are not within reach:

“I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now.”

“But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here.”

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say.” 

“We are travelers on a cosmic journey,stardust,swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”

“There is only one way to learn. It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”

“It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

========================================================================
From The Alchemist

“Still, being fragile creatures, humans always try to hide from themselves the certainty that they will die. They do not see that it is death itself that motivates them to do the best things in their lives. They are afraid to step into the dark, afraid of the unknown, and their only way of conquering that fear is to ignore the fact that their days are numbered. They do not see that with an awareness of death, they would be able to be even more daring, to go much further in their daily conquests, because then they would have nothing to lose- for death itself is inevitable.”

“Have pity on those who are fearful of taking up a pen, or a paintbrush, or an instrument, or a tool because they are afraid that someone has already done so better than they could…”

“We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body. Many times in our lives we see our dreams shattered and our desires frustrated, but we have to continue dreaming. If we don't, our soul dies, and agape cannot reach it.”

“We always know which is the best road to follow, but we follow only the road that we have become accustomed to.”

Until next time.
劉暢