The Universe does provide... (This post was written some time ago, I just forgot to publish it.)

...as I have known it to do consistantly. My good friend, Keith, once said, "You can have anything you want, as long as what you want is what God wants." Another friend, a Therava Buddhist monk, will sometimes end a letter with, "May you receive what you need and may it bare a striking resembance to what you want." This stop in Colorado City with enable me to make it into Tennesse. Now, may the Universe provide me with a way to get my teeth fixed!

My present host is a wonderful young woman, 33, who is an EMT and massage therapist. She has two beautiful big Malamute dogs, one of which has burrowed under the house. It is SO funny and unexpected to see this fairly small hole in the ground and then see this big dog scramble out of it! I hope Ava will get a video of it and put it online. It will go viral, I'm sure.

If you find yourself in Coloado City Wednesday through Saturday, there is a lovely restaurant called Mi Rancho. It's a mile or two off the interstate, but well worth the drive. It is family run and has a large, friendly and attentive staff. Only open Wed-Sat. Live music in the evening by an accomplished musician.

Well, perhaps I will add more later, but it is time to prepare to get on the road. Hope to make it to DC by Friday.

The Plan...

At the moment will see me traveling by motorcycle, not counting side trips of several hundred miles, over 7,400 miles by November. I presently have $56 to my name and no expected income, ie, I know of no money scheduled to come to me. I take that back; I am scheduled to teach a coaching lesson on Monday for $50. Talk about trusting the Universe (God) to provide! Well, I figure that It put me in this bio-atmospheric survival suit that I need to have to walk on the surface of the the planet so it must be willing to offer support so that I can get the proper use of the equipment It has loaned me. It's done a pretty good job thus far, despite many adverse situations.

So, here I will give the Universe a list of what is required, as I see it, to make this trip possible. It can choose how it wishes to supply for the trip, though I am always open to unexpected and unplanned ways of making such things happen:

* Restocking of balloons.
* $71 for my phone bill before it gets shut off.
* Oil and filter change on the motorcycle, soon... and then twice more before the end of the trip.
* A trailer hitch and small trailer to pull behind the bike so that my beloved sister and I can travel across the country from Ohio to the coast of Oregon more readily without killing the bike.
* Gas for the trip.
* Food.
* Lodging/camping during the trip.
* A visit to the dentist to have a cavity in the tooth of my non-broken bridge anchor repaired before it gets too bad.
* Two new tires in May would be nice.

______________________________
Well, it is now the next day and I've earned enough for the pil change and a tank or two of gas. I have one more day to earn enough for a balloon restock.

Oh, and my sister would like for me to go pick her up in Florida. So far, no where near enough conversation about that to change my travel plans. But if that is what happens, life will get very interesting fairly quickly. The logistics of this trip is just...mind boggling! Ah....but that is what adventures are made of!! :-)

Just another post about...whatever.

Just came from a Unity church service in a bigger church. I know that I only got a snapshot of how it is, but I felt no connection whatsoever. It was the most formal church that I've been in in a very long time. It felt almost like a Catholic church to me. The tried to connect, perhaps, but it ddn't feel heartfelt to me. Actually, it seemed like the whole service was filler to collect money. This is an exception to the rule for Unity churches, I've found. In most Unity churches, the offering collected because the money is needed to run the church and that is the feeling that one gets.

Two positive occurences of note. I met an old German woman who went through WW2 in Berlin. She told me the story of how she became anAmerican citizen--by marrying the man who bombed her house in Berlin! How's that for an interesting story?! The second thing of note was the labyrinth they've created on the property. Walking it in the merciless sun of the desert was an interesting experience. It put me in mind of a man I think of as a close brother, Keith Marteny. Remembering walking the labyrinth in Fairhaven with him brought joy to my heart.

Yesterday, I went to 4th and Broadway here in Tucson. Had heard that it was the street performing location in town. Perhaps it is, late at night...for musicians. Not so much for this balloon twister. I wore myself out, walking up and down the road all day, trying the find a profitable place. One thing that I like about small towns is when something happens, everyone in town gathers and twisting is easy. Not so in big cities. There are so many things to do that finding a place to work (where it is allowed and there are enough kids and people) is a work of Spirit. I did, however, briefly make the aqaintance of a VERY skilled twister with the last name of Fudd. I hope it turns out that we get an opportunity to exchange ideas. Yesterday, financially, just paid for itself, which is much more pleasant than going into nee, but doen't do much for paying bills or maintainance on the bike. Not concerned, though, as it has been my experience that the Universe always provides.

From one host to another.

I think I need to take a writing class to make my posts more entertaining. Lots of stuff happens, but it seems that my writing skills are just okay. That's fine for this fellow with only a 9th grade formal education. (Yes, I earned my GED in '92.) However, I can read my own writing and know that it is somewhat dry. *shrug* It is what it is and this blog is doing what I intended, hich was to keep those who wished to know what's going on.

Speaking of which, there are several people I have known who I wish kept a blog: my son, Tyler. My tiny friend, Sharon Denny. A couple friends from long, long ago: Debbie Bushnell and Evelyn "Evie" Carr. My most recent ex-girlfriend/estranged friend, Kristina. My good friend/brother, Keith Marteny. I'd love to know what is happening in the lives of these people (and a few others not mentioned here) but circumstances have not offered themselves for communication. I know that I am fairly easy to find online: news articles, my website, this blog, contests that I enter; in other words, I don't live a secret or confidential life. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for these friends and loved ones that I would like to stay connected to, even in such a tenuious way.

Ah, well. *sigh* So, today was moving day from one host to another in the same city. Rebecca was an awesome hostess, and I get the feeling that Diane will be jut as awesome, though perhaps in other ways. I've not yet met her, but I'm moved into the little apartment that she is offring for my use. From what I've been able to glean from our few communications, she is caring, busy, just a tad overwhelmed by responsibilities, but joyful and fun-loving. It'll be interesting to see if my initial impressions have any validity. :-)

The ride over was exciting: LOTS of wind gusts and blowing sand. It felt like what I imagine surfing a big wave would feel like. A couple times when I stopped to check GPS, I had to put the bike on its centerstand to keep from getting blown down.  It's looking like the wind is calming down a tiny bit, so perhaps I will go get a few supplies and head back to the apartment. I sure hope the Universe provides a venue for making some money, it's getting mighty slim!    

I'm a CEO!

And so are you! So what it that was are CEOs of? The minutes of our lives. Assuming 80 years of life, we are given 42,048,000 minutes to sell or use however we wish. Figuring 8hours sleep per night (sometimes more, sometimes less) that cuts down on our available useful minutes to sell or use by 14,016,000 minutes leaving us with 28,032,000 left. Now, these numbers apply to every living being on the planet who lives 80 years and sleeps 8 hours a night, averaged.

Some people sell their product (minutes) dearly, yet squander those they saved for personal use on anger, depression, boredom, or some other such emotion. But it really doesn't matter how they use them, they have no more minutes than anyone else. Death levels the playing field, always. Because you are the CEO of your own life, you can choose to loan someone else the power of how you spend your minutes, or you can choose to spend them how you wish to.

In the dance business, young teacher-trainees are often in awe of those with lots of experience on the floor. Or are in thrall of a confident boss to the point of allowing that boss to choose where they get their dance training from. (This topic was inspired by a certain interaction, but is appropriate to many others.)  The fact is, though, that the boss, while being kind or whatnot, is likely more concerned with how the new teacher's dancing will effect the boss' bottom line rather than the longterm joy of the new trainee. I know well how how the trainee feels, having been there myself.I also know from experience that the same is true in pretty much any profession. However, freedom comes when one realizes that one must be the master of one's own company and choose never to work FOR someone else, but rather work WITH. This change in perception leads to a more mutually respectful and fulfilling life experience.

I might choose to sell my minutes to another for $0.166 a minute (roughly $10 per hour) or I may choose to give it away helping an injured person to  hospital; in either case, that minute is gone, never to be seen again. Your boss has to decide for his or her self how they may choose to spend their minutes.

How to use this information? One way is to decide if the actions of anothe are worth the expenditure of your precious minutes in anger or hatred. They are your inutes, what will you choose to sell your peace and happiness for? Additionally, look at the motivations of those you have sold some of your time to (employers) and ask yourself, "Do they REALLY haave my long-term best interestsat heart? Or would I be better served assuming responsibility for my own long-term joy and well-being?" The choice, my friends, is completely up to you.

May these words be of benefit.

On trusting God /Universe/Source/Spirit

Had a chat with my present host last night about trusting the Universe to guide me. I had told her that, on the way "home" last night, I told the Universe that I didn't much care where It wants me to go, but I wouldn't mind knowing where It wants me to go next. A bit of a longer conversation ensued after that which doesn't matter as far as the content of this post is concerned.

Living as I am living now--traveling on a motorbike with very little money, no insurance (except for the bike) and no plan--how do I experience trust in the Universe?

Most of my life, I've lived hand-to-mouth, paycheck to paycheck. I have found that what I need often just appears out of nowhere and is generally unexpected. Combine that with how many times I've had to start over from litttle or nothing in my life and I've just come to the conclusion that it really doesn't effect my overall level of happiness and joy if I have stuff or not. If I haven't any money on a given day then I go out amongst people and look for opportunity. It shows up. But on the very, very occasion that it doesn't, something else does; somehow my basic needs are met. As long as I'm alive, my needs will be supplied and I've been in enough close situations that I'm confident of this factor of life.

Sometimes, especially lately, I've gone to a town with no idea what I was going there for or what I would do once I got there. The felt/experience of thiss is one of wondering and observation. I figure that I am a cog in the machine that will help someone and all I have to do is to be willing to go and kep my eyes open. By being willing, my needs are met while beinng of benefit to others. I must say that my little mind gets a tiny bit frustrated occasionally (much less often than one would think) when the end of a living situation (couch-surfing hosting or self-suggested time for leaving) gets really close and I have no idea where to go next. I have packed the bike before and set out with NO idea where I was going, so I'd stop at a restaurant to have a cup of coffee and get on the 'net and while there, someone would say something or I would read something that caught my attention and the thought, 'Hmm, that seems iinteresting.' would appear. That would be something that wasn't present before I went inside and so I would have my next location.

So often, just by being open to possibilities and not holding on tightly to my own opinions about how my day is to go, I have found myself in pretty interesting situations. True, they aren't like riding around on my own 200' yaght, sipping champaign out of a flute glass, but by keeping alert to THIS moment and what is present in it, it feels spectacular and fulfilling to me. If that is the case, what is missing?

I loved and dear friend recently told me that she felt saddened that I am sad, that I want a life partner and can't find one. While this is relatively true--yes, I would enjoy a mate who matches me--I also occasionally want a certain type of chocolate, would love to not have read a certain good book so I could read it again with a fresh mind, and would like to see the world from outer space. I may allow my mind to play with these thoughts once in a while, but they aren't keeeping me from finding joy in my present circumstancs. They are but waves on the ocean of my life.

A very recent xample of howw my trust in the Universe manifests: I was scheduled to stay with my present host here in Tucson only until Thursday. Then I was going to move to another host who ws going to let me stay for a week or so. Now, I had no real plan when I came to Tucson other than to get in a little higher-level dancing than what I'm used to. Well, I had lost contact with my second host and had no backup plan, other than to get on the bike and head eastward. As time was getting close, my present host extended her invitation and soon after, my second host made contact and renewed her offer. Then, a spiritual teacher I admire invited me to a workshop close to Sante Fe on the 12th so...looks like the Universe has presented me with my next thing. Of course, I've noticed that It sometimes changes plans on me so I'm not married to this plan. But I know that whatever happens, I will be joyful and well-supported by the Universal experience...and if not, well, I know that I am safe in my mortality. :-)

Attempts at leaving. (Post that failed to upload)

I've tried several times to get going to Tucson, but as the saying goes, "If it's not one thing, it's another." My original plan was to leave last Monday, but the sale of the Yamaha didn't happen quite the way I'd hoped. Nothing major but just had to make sure that there were no loose ends.

After I sold the bike, and not having any pressing place to go, I decided to get the Honda looked at. Couldn't get that appointment until Thursday morning. Found out that the Goldwing is in pretty good shape, though the mechanic missed the leaking seals on the front fork. Not sure, but I think that that is an important thing to take care of.

When I went to pay, found out that my bank card had been canceled. So, I rode up to the bank. While waiting in line to talk with someone, my left eyetooth,post and all, fell out into my hand. No warning at all. Also found out that my bank account had been compromised by some hackers that had stolen numbers at a grocery store I've been going to. So, it seems I'll be here in Lake Havasu City for a few more days while I wait for a replacement card, not that there is any any money to speak of in my account.

I don't know how I'll be able to get the money to pay for the dentist appointment to get the eyetooth cemented back in--they'll need to take an X ray--and if there is decay down in the hole, it'll be more. I'm making a YouTube video. I've never asked strangers for money but figure I'll give some folks the opportunity to feel wealthy. From my own experience, I know that it is being in a position to help those in need that gives rise to the experience of the true wealth. The bridge I need fixed is one thing, this is something else.

I see this combination of obstacles as the Universe telling me that I've not yet finished serving others here. If anyone would like to help the "smile-maker" get his smile back, you can visit my website and donate via PayPal. Any and all help is appreciated. Regardless, though, of whether I permanently lose my teeth, I will continue to work to spread joy as long as I can draw breath. What else is there to do? Much love, my friends.... May you all experience much love too. :-D

On the road again... Well, almost. (Forgot to upload this one.)

The bike has been repaired and the tooth that fell out has been recemented. It is almost time to head out. Leaving Lake Havasu City will be a little tough, I think. The folks here have been very kind and friendly: Johnno and Sarah, Lynn and the folks at the Black Bear Diner, Dave Tuttle giving me a great place to stay, Julie for all the dancing and friendship--and can't forget the kayaking resulting in a fun day and a really bad sunburn--and Tony for helping me fix the bike and then taking me flying in his airplane (too cool!). Tammy for her dancing and comradary, the dentist who recemented my tooth and didn't charge me for it, Myrna who hosted the mindfulness dinner I facilitated and, of course, Danny for buying my Yamaha and being patient for a long time for the title to come. This town lives up to its title as the "friendliest town in the USA."

On Monday, Julie invited me to go kayaking. We paddled under the London Bridge. I met her at the dance under the Bridge after participating in the line dancing on the Bridge. It was very enjoyable, despite my blisters and sunburn. On Tuesday, Tony invited me to go for a short ride in his little airplane. I have to say, I do love to fly! We flew over the Bridge. It wasn't until I was telling my mom about all this that it occurred to me that I have danced on and under the London Bridge as well as gone under it in two kinds of boats and have flown over it. Not that any of that means anything other than the story I can now tell of doing it.

Tucson...huh?

It has been interesting, this trip through the Southwest. In Havasu, I was welcomed with subdued excitement. In Yuma, I was welcomed with open arms and begged to return next snowbird season. Before I arrived in Tucson, I was welcomed and invited by several people from Couchsurfing.org. However, after settling on one particular host, it appears (at the moment) as though Tucson doesn't actually wish for me to to stay. I may be wrong and I'll give it a couple more days to turn around, but it is definitely giving me vibes of "move on" once my present hosting space is completed.

I use words like "completed" and "move on vibes" because I usually get some sense or intuition whether the Universe wishes for me to remain in a certain place. I was obviously guided to stay with my present host as she was once the personal assistant of two of the spiritual teachers who have made an impact on my inner journey. I have heard many stories and have gotten a bit of information that will stand me in good stead at some point in the near future. However, my other hosting opportunities seem to have completely dried up. Additionally, I decided to venture out into the local dance community to be soundly rebuffed by the owner of a local studio. After being dismissed from the presence of the Studio, I went to a Starbucks and a Coco's Restaurant. Both places are usually very welcoming and friendly, but in tonight, Nope. My reception was lukewarm at best. I'm not in any way upset at this reaction--it happens from time to time--but it does lead itself to the feeling of, "Perhaps this isn't the town for me to hang out in."

In the past, I have had the energy of a location "flip" on me and suddenly become very welcoming indeed. Perhaps this will happen here...we'll see. In the meantime, I'm going to remain open to all incoming guidance. No idea where I'm to go now or when. I have the sense that I'm to continue to head East, but what to do and where to stay on the way is presently blank. I always find this state of listening for Universal Voice to be intriguing. There is a feeling within of pausing, almost like the Universe is consulting a paper or schedule to make sure of It's direction. I guess one might say it is the trough at the bottom of the wave.

Well, they are turning off the lights in this restaurant so I guess that is my indicator that I'm to head back to my "home" for the next couple days.