My last post was titled “Summer Is Finally Here.” Can you believe that August is upon us, and the big motorcycle rally in Sturgis is just around the corner? There’s a quote I really like from Gretchen Bleiler: Life is short, and if we enjoy every moment of every day, then we will be happy no matter what happens or what changes along the way.
Many people don’t enjoy life at all because they either go back to the past and relive what was, or are somewhere in the future experiencing an ideal reality. When that happens, it’s easy to miss out on the beauty of the present.
When I drove trucks, occasionally I’d be so busy thinking about other things that I’d forget about the beauty right outside my windshield. That’s when I would remind myself to take a deep breath and enjoy the moment - the beauty surrounding my rig. I realized that the present moment was my chance to enjoy life and if I missed it, I would begin to let time pass by. Life passes by whether we enjoy the moment or not; why not enjoy it?
Regardless of what part of the country you travel, there’s plenty of awesome scenery to see. In the Northeast, although it wasn’t my favorite place to run, I enjoyed seeing the green, tree-lined mountains. Travelling south on I-95, going into New York City, the George Washington Bridge was always exciting, one way or another. And you can’t forget about the Statue of Liberty. Of course, there was just something about stopping at the Bordentown Petro!
Travelling across the plains added another type of beauty - fields. Yes, fields and more fields! I’d sometimes think about the movie Field of Dreams as I drove across. It was a highlight for me to see a farmer at work on a tractor, thinking how much I appreciated her/him for my food.
And of course, as you know, one of my favorite things was to run to the West Coast. I’d soak up the moments as I would see the landscape gradually change from green to brown, grass to rocks and cactus. Looking at the majestic mountains, thinking about the wagon trains of years ago. Trying to live in the moment of the surrounding beauty.
It’s easy to get caught up in reaching your destination before the clock runs down, but don’t rush through and miss the opportunity to appreciate the scenery. Embrace it. Enjoy the moment and love it.
Photo by Simon Migaj on Unsplash