Reflections Over Four Thousand Miles

Reflections Over Four Thousand Miles an essay

You chose your dreams for the journeys they’d make possible, and you knew when you chose them there’d be obstacles, crises, and young souls who’d stand in your way. They exist by design. To tempt you, lure you, test you. So that you can come back, prevail, rise above, and rock on...There’ve been no mistakes. All is supremely well.

These are the days, mid-adventure, that will mean the most to you.

E

ight days ago, we were on the event horizon of something wonderful. We weren’t fully aware of what it would be, but we knew it would be worth every mile. I’ve learned a lot about each of us on this journey and it only solidified what I had already known: I have made all of the right decisions to have you in my life. To debate whether it was luck or fate seems trivial.

It seems better to just accept it with a smile.

One year ago, I drove across the country on a journey almost identical to this. With different people and different problems I had a much different outlook on the experience. Looking back, I now have a greater sense of clarity regarding what I am living for. Then, it was purely for myself and selfish desire. Now, it is for moments with the ones I love and the land that keeps me humble.

let yoursel

lf be in awe

S

top looking at the map—just enjoy it. This thought crossed my mind many times while on the road.

Traffic jams and ETAs mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. One of the most important takeaways I want to share with you is this: it is necessary to learn to let yourself be in awe at what is in front of you— no matter how good or bad it may seem. You must be thankful there is something in front of you. We’re lucky, we get to be thankful for the ones beside us as we face the horizon as well.

It is too easy to lose sight of all this. Life isn’t easy for any of us. Sometimes, it feels like the universe might be out to get us. Plans might not follow through as expected. We change our course. We lose our way.

In the end, however, we will carry on and move forward.

Each of us made it to this point somehow and each of us will make it to the next one even if that peak is obstructed right now.

imaginat

tion

A

s I sit in the passenger seat on the journey home I can already sense myself feeling “too much” but it feels important to embrace it. My sky feels at least three times larger. My heart is full. My eyes are tired. I still hate the idea of having to be somewhere. I wish we all could exist where and when we please but that just isn’t how the world works right now. We got a taste of that this week—it was sweeter than anything I’ve ever tasted.

My imagination has allowed me to live many lives.

Maybe our imagination comes from the interconnectedness of the multiverse. Our ideas, the experiences of our other selves. I am unable to conceptualize the processing power of the universe’s ability to provide so many paths and vet which will become my reality. I don’t think I could trade the reality I’ve been given for a better one. Even when this one gets hard.

I’ve been doing a great deal of thinking about the personality of a place. We’ve encountered a multitude of landscapes with unique traits and characteristics and I’ve fallen in love. If all else fails, what could stop one of us from running west and living a modest life. These thoughts can be dangerous to all the hard work we’ve put in to academia—but it is always an option. I feel as if this speaks volumes about how we live our lives. It had guided me to live differently.

Love often

C

onviction. This word has been floating around in my brain a great deal lately. I’ve concluded, that I need to do better at living with conviction. In my current state, living passively is not an option. I encourage you to go forth and embrace any scraps of confidence and certainty. This doesn’t mean live rigidly, it means live fervently.

Going forward, I implore you to set your intentions.

Finding your life’s purpose can be daunting and—in my opinion—overrated. Set intentions daily. Weekly.

Monthly. Goals drive us further and push us harder but I challenge you to shift your thinking. Career aspirations and academic accolades are great but they do not make a man. Be the person you needed when you were in the trenches. Aim to put a smile on the face of at least one person each day. Love often.

How do you want to be remembered? While I am a firm believer in not dwelling on the opinions of others and marching to the beat of your own drum, this is an important question still. With each mile, footstep, and breath, we shape a legacy. We leave an imprint. Leave one that inspires, guides, and is unwavering.

a changed ma

an

T

oday, we make our way home. I could be thinking too deeply about it all. Maybe I’m feeling more than necessary. What I do know, is that I am at least returning a changed man. I am more thoughtful and much more ready to embrace the world in front of me. I hope in some capacity you feel the same.

This is going to sound lame—but I think I enjoyed the boring stuff the most.