Even in error, it took the Ocean to see clearly the calling of the Desert. Again, I embarked on a road trip, across the country with BBC Radio and NPR News acting as infrequent companions, thankfully they lasted in Texas. McD's, Starbucks (for free wifi, of course) and gas stations occupied the trip's process. I can name the top 5 artists on pop radio (Justin Beiber, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Flo Rida and Nicki Manaj (who, in particular, I'm really tired of by the way, but that's another story)) and I still managed to make it through the tumbleweeds of New Mexico's flat scenery. State by state, I cruise controlled across I-10 west with no real destination than the Pacific and frankly what choice did I have? Once you hit the Ocean, you don't exactly want to drown. Then again maybe it takes being held underwater to realize how bad you really want what you're after...breath. That which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will, To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."**
It's true -it seems time and fate can make one appear ill advised, unimportant and the mission a dead-end. Rather, I would argue, perhaps, every method has its madness and maybe, the strongest will see the end-goal to fruition, even it means an unexpected format. Sometimes, that's just how it works. Sometimes, it's all worth the risk.
So there I was, running along the sand with the nothing but the waves in my ears, bare feet and the morning air keeping me from breaking a sweat: it made sense. Time to double back. And back I went - across the the tumbleweeds - and weekend radio talk shows, gunning it through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana & Mississippi - made a pit stop in Birmingham and back where I needed to be...for today: Atlanta. The long drive exhausted me, but there were moments, when the sun peaked over the horizon, I thought, it might just be alright.
To the nay-sayers and the gloaters, time hasn't been long enough to show you what you're missing out on. For the yay-sayers and cheerleaders, don't worry, keep pushing. It's all has been, is and will be worth it. That which we are...we are. We cannot change. I won't, so I'll fight to keep going and go again. Recently, while talking with a friend about mud racing, we watched the motivational promo for the Spartan Race. The video shows participants struggling through the ropes obstacles, paraplegics accomplishing the impossible and underneath is a track from a motivational speaker who tells the story of a man who sought out a guru in his pursuit of success.
The guru told him, "When you get to the point where you want to be successful as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful...," this after leading him to deep waters and holding his head under.
Sometimes, that's just how it works, sometimes, that's just the way of it. The open road gave me an avenue, the open ocean was my guru - and at the end of the day: this first year isn't over and I'm still working. I hope you'll keep following.
**This is the poem 'M.' recites in the new James Bond film, "Skyfall" while answering an inquiry from the British government on the relevancy of secret agents.
