WALKING ROUTE 66
When You Have a Paradigm Shift On The Road
You turn to a new page in your life.
It was about 5:30 when I woke up. The moon was up in the sky, the only light around. The shower after a long walk yesterday did wonders to relax me.
After walking more than 40 miles over the past two days, I decided to take it easy. The next town along Route 66 was only 15 miles away. I could take my time and still make it there in time to get the laundry done before going to the fire station where they knew of my arrival.
I went to the nearby c-store to get breakfast, and then wait for the call to get on the radio program with Bill Gossett and Judy Busby. You can watch/listen to that show here.
Just outside Afton, I came across what looked like the remnants of AVON Cottage Motel that looked like stand-alone prison cells, and someone had parked a car with an advertisement for a bail bond company. A brilliant set-up, indeed.
As I walked toward my destination, Vinita, Oklahoma, I thought about what Melany had said in her evaluation a week earlier to think more deeply about why I was walking, what it meant, and what can I learn from it. Sometimes, all we need is someone to point out that we need a paradigm shift. (I am looking at you, Paul.)
The autumn breeze and the early morning sun felt wonderful.
When you’re the only one on the road, and you have many miles to go, your thoughts will start wandering, as they often do. I started thinking about how I would tell my story when I write a book about my walk.
When I reached Vinita, the first place I saw was a Subway. I went in to see if someone can direct me to the nearest laundromat. I walked out of there an hour later, with a full tummy and a heart filled with joy, having made a few more friends.
There was still plenty of time to get the laundry done and get to the Fire Station before dark. They invited me to join in for the dinner of salad and pasta.
I spent the night in a gazebo in the back of the station.
As I think back and ponder.
At one point, when I continued after I had stopped for a breather, a strong feeling came over me that I had left something behind. I turn around to see what it might be. There was nothing but the vast prairie that is Oklahoma. It reminded me of my college buddy Malek, who hated Oklahoma because it was so flat, with “nothing to see.”
Looking over the gorgeous green spread before me, and feeling one with the Universe, I realized that I had left behind a lot of negativity that no longer served me. I felt joy and gratitude, overwhelmed by the Ever-present Love that engulfs us. It’s great to know that I am always taken care of; all I need is to tune into this Loving Presence.
Stay blessed and be happy, my friends.
Day 64: Takin’ it Easy (Original blog post).
Just for fun.
I invite you to tag along if you’re up to it. I am mentioning a few friends who may be interested in it. If you are tagged but don’t want to read my stories daily, let me know in the comments, and I will remove your name moving forward. If you are reading this and aren’t included in the list below, but you’d like to come along, let me know so that I can add you.
Michele Amy Trista Henery Timothy Tim P.G. Sherry Saloni Indra B. A. Linda Sharon Tree Linda Britni Desiree Elisabeth Simona Kristin Helen Julia Chris Rosennab Tom Truenorth Agnes Aurora LauraRaduenz Catherine Joe Stuart Gurpreet BFoundAPen Margie Bob NaNa’sworld Wolfie Rebecca Susannah
As always, thank you for reading and responding.
Here are some of my other stories:
Rasheed Hooda is a published author who has contributed to many of Medium’s top Publications; The Startup, The Ascent, P.S. I Love You, Rogues’ Gallery, and ILLUMINATION, to name a few. He is also a Top Writer for several topics. If you like his work, buy him a cup of coffee, he drinks a lot of it.
