As I continued riding, from the seat on the motorcycle, I sat back down into the moment, into the Now. That was the theme of this entire journey. For the briefest of time in those remaining miles, the effortlessness of being in the moment on the road, now required some additional diligence. The practice of being in the moment requires a bit more diligence when off the road. I remember that. I felt a stillness again as I throttled closer to home. I felt waves of gratitude for the journey I was just on and for the continuing journey of my life.

I was feeling joyful and at the same time still. Even as I traversed the gears of the motorcycle, through corners and straightaways turning the throttle, leaning the bike side-to-side, velocity constantly changing, and yet there was a stillness. What was it like? “I guess you’d have to be there.” How often have we used or heard that expression? It’s because words fail and fall short. Explain what wine or food taste like or tell me what that song sounds like, or what the color of a flower looks like. It’s all words. It’s the “being” and experiencing that matters. In the moment there are no words necessary.

It’s not about what I did and where I went. It’s completely about realizing a vision and a dream. It’s totally about manifesting an idea that I played with over the years. “Wouldn’t it be cool to ride through Glacier National Park in Montana and then head to Banff in Canada?” Just an idea, that became a vision for trip, that then turned into a feeling of something that would be done. The number of miles and the line on the map representing the last 14 days, well those are outcomes to be proud of for sure. It’s a sense of accomplishment. The thing that puts the big smile on my face is idea, vision, and manifesting a dream. That’s a feeling of reaching “new heights” and that’s something joyful.

It’s about the people you meet! Nature, riding, and the outdoors are aspects of the journey, but the people you meet and their stories, well that’s what traveling is all about. The wonderful thing about hearing other peoples’ stories and sharing my own is that very quickly it becomes clear how connected we all are and how “same” we are. There’s no politics, religion, or judgment. Simply, people are connecting around a common theme, travel, but the conversation turns quickly to the “story.” It’s an opportunity to get a glimpse into people’s lives and to share as well.

I’m in a good place now, because I’m very “present”. My attention is focused on the here-and-now. I don’t feel the need to run from something or run to something. I’m very cognizant of that as I contemplate another journey. The outward and inward journeys of life are ultimately part of the One journey. As I’ve experienced previously, travel and being on the road can quicken the experiencing of awakening to those truths we hold deep within our Being. Travel is a great thing. A means to experience the world, people, places, and to learn about yourself. For me at times, travel was the catalyst for that inward journey. I felt the need to be on the road to light that spark inside me and ignite awareness.