Traveling By Bike

On the first day, oh lost one, you gave all you had saved up to get over that first big mountain pass. That was good, because after that you had to pay for what you needed with strength you didn't have to easily give away. But you found it, and you did what you had to do. Yours was not the easy way of youth and condition and fitness or of prestige and power and authority or privilege. You couldn't just twist the throttle or step on the gas to get down the road and out of the rain. You couldn't pull rank either or click your fingers and have an Uber give you a ride. You had to push yourself through the sweat and pain. Yes, the body had to work, but the real work was your spirit. That pulled on your wits and heart and kindness. You paid in full with what you had to dredge up from the core of who you really are without the trappings of money and familiarity and an easy pass. It was character that you wanted to live on -- real, honest-to-god character (that and some really expensive camping gear). So you lived through the cramps and the doubts and the vulnerability and the mistakes and the adversities of the days in search of what you are really made. Did you find it? Well it was right there in front of you when all that distracting baggage was wiped off your lenses. It was in the way you responded to what came to you. It was how you met the sore body that wanted to just take the day off every morning after a hard day.You botched a few things, but mostly, you showed up and met situations with humor and good faith. You'll have to live with that and wrap it in a story that takes you from here forward. Like it or not, it's what you got, what you have to work with, what you have to remember. When you see others pushing against the limits of privilege, wealth, social standing, remember what it was like, and extend a hand.