True Life...

I've lacked inspiration to blog.  And, I love to blog.  When I feel less than inspired, I need to figure out why.  I realized, more than ever, that I love to write.  I like to write to share thoughts and insights.  Even though it continually scares me to put my thoughts on paper, in fear of being judged and criticized, I'm getting over it.

I'd like to share some insights, as learned from my relationship.  Living in a car or in the basement of your parent's house is difficult.  This fact of life has made learning to communicate each other's language that much more  imperative in order to stay together.  Pride on both our parts may have had a little to do with the times we broke up in Washington, California, Texas and Florida.  Ultimately, the need to be right doesn't fix anything.  All it does is keep the letting go of whatever it is you're fighting about that much more in focus.  Being right is a matter of opinion, anyway.   I'm competitive as they come, but I've realized someone's feelings aren't something to be right about.  Even though I'm a prideful Seattle Seahawks fan - ranked 1st  and Percy Harvin as a wide receiver --what, what --competition is a detriment to relationships.

Lastly, I'll share my current plan to make money.  My first plan several months ago had me contacting Scion about financing my trip. Which I didn't do, and then Scion came out with a marketing plan that financed four kids to take Scion's cars around the country.  Shit.  Here's my latest plan worth millions. Chris and I met for the first time in September, outside a gas station in New Hampshire.  Not having even talked to him yet, the first thing he asked me to was play catch with his PooF football.  Since our first catch, we play catch in every state we travel through.   Poof, similar to Nerf, wear out every couple months.  I was thinking.  What if I email PooF, tell them about our falling in love over catch, solving fights by playing catch and so forth then we become their new advertisement? We get free footballs and gas money to drive the van to play catch in Europe, Asia, New Zeleand, Australia, and Iceland.  Boo-yah!   Dreams....don't you love 'em?

We're headed towards Colorado, Utah, Nevada soon but not until I sell my car for gas money and a new audio system in the van.  Over and out from the parent's basement.

                                                                        

Stopping to Smell the Roses...

Travel tips for maximum adventure in life

1) Plan as little as possible- this will allow for flexibility, spontaneity, and creativity in moment to moment decisions.  Planning makes a choice in this moment for a future moment, and the future is not here yet, which seems kinda crazy when you think of it that way, doesn't it?
2) Bring necessity items-this is in line with living a simple life.  The more things you have that you don't need the more mental/emotional/psychological clutter one keeps.  It's commendable to give your excess stuff to someone who will actually use it.  The truth is things get in the way.  The next time you want to buy something you don't need ask "do I need this to live?" and your answer will most likely to be no, to which you can start to train yourself to find happiness from with"in" yourself and with"out" stuff.
3) Get off the highway- back roads, dirt roads, and no roads force you to slow down and look out the window.  Looking out the window with only the goal of "seeing" and "observing" encourages mindfulness.  This helps decrease stress and anxiety.  So, do it more!
4) Go under the speed limit- by slowing down in life you decrease accidents, careless mistakes, and missed opportunities.  Even though everyone around you is going faster, honking at you, and flipping you the bird, smile because you have something figured out that they don't.  Life will unfold no matter what pace you go, and according to my favorite quote by Walter Hagen, "don't hurry, don't worry, you're only here for a short visit and be sure to smell the roses."
5) Don't take vacations- a vacation implies a trip of recreation separate from the life you currently live.  Don't vacate your life for a quick glimpse at a more relaxed, enjoyable lifestyle outside of your everyday existence.  Set up your life as close to a vacation, adventure, journey as possible to program yourself that life is meant to be enjoyed always, not only a week a year.

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone!  


   

Is This The End?...

A life long dream came true this morning for Miles as we watched a rocket launch nearby the Kennedy Space Center.  Shorty after this historic event, Miles said jokingly, "everything here on out is going to be insignificant, I just witnessed a rocket for chrissake".  You know something, he's right. Although the successes and the dreams accomplished continue to pile up on this road trip, so too does the disappointment of not knowing what to do, after doing the undoable.

In Key West, the insecurities of my dwindling savings and how I am going to make money came crashing down on me.  With only North Carolina to see to finish the continental 48 states, I realized my road tripping adventure is coming to a close.  The life I have become accustomed to living, with spontaneous left or right decisions, u-turns, parking lot living is on its final leg.  My favorite question of "where are you today?" has become an all too familiar one that I enjoy filling family and friends in on.  Currently in a parking lot in Hilton Head, South Carolina, for your information.  But in all honesty, the sadness of letting go of the most meaningful existence I can imagine, made the past few weeks miserable at times.  

There are those who would give anything to live someone else's life, to trade places so that they can feel what it's like to live the "good life".  But at the end of the day, I have come to understand they struggle just as you do.  They fear, they agonize, cry, and fall down only to get back up again.  

In Virginia I talked to Rome, the new lead singer of the popular band Sublime.  At the time I was pretty awe struck to be conversing with someone who had everything, in my mind; money, a popular band, traveling the country, and fame. But as we continued to talk and he was curious about me traveling around the country, living out of my car, with no plan, he said "I wish I had your life."  This person I watched sing in front of thousands of fans an hour earlier, was now telling me he was jealous of me? 

I've realized true success comes from living out your dream.  And the dream is your life as it is.  It might not be something you're very proud or are embarrassed of but that doesn't matter. Ask yourself how can I love, forgive, relax, and enjoy what's right in front of me a little more.  Then, you'll be one step closer to your dream.