Over the past few blogs I have talked about my life and tried to give as much detail as I feel comfortable sharing. Which at times is more than most would like to know. But the actual purpose behind my trip is well complicated and yet not complicated. I will explain the reasons behind it in this post and also discuss some of my stops along the way. I hope to hear some feedback from you all.
One of the main reasons for my trip is well the main picture above. At times we all hit cross roads in our lives and I have hit one in mine. Being scared over most of my life to really live and do the things I see so few people accomplish has bothered me. While I have had a very shall I say up and down life there is much work yet to be done and much more I would like to do. Since coming to an understanding that I will not be confined or limited by the events of my life anymore. I feel it is time to accomplish and do something epic and for some people's opinion stupid.
Yes I said some people's opinion. Despite popular belief I have not gone nuts I am not loosing my mind. I have just made a conscious decision to try to find me amid the life I have led to this point. That is a total alien concept to many I understand that. Some are satisfied with the way their life is. Some think the greatest most epic thing they will do is goto a balloon and wine festival and say oh ahh but deep in their heart wish they could be in that balloon. What I am getting at is people most people I know play it safe.
I know many people who married for security and not love. I know many who want more but are worried what others may think. I know many who are willing to do nothing other than the status quo because well it suits them. Sorry I tried that before and well it never worked for me. When I died and my subsequent near death experiences brought home a reality to me. It doesn't matter what you think. It doesn't matter what I have it only matters what I think of me and the mark I leave when I am gone.
So the first purpose of my cross-country trip is to find that part of my soul that has been lost because of illness, poor choices, being put down, used and well treated like crap. It is also about finding my soul again out of my own behaviors as well. Letting all of that baggage go so that I can be free to do better for myself and others with an unfettered mind. I want to be more to the people in my life and I want to inspire others.
That leads to the second reason. I am 1 out of only 4 people who survive a 100% blockage/widow maker heart attack each year. Do any of you understand those odds. I am also a survivor of a stroke and two forms of cancer. No offense but I have slapped death in the face and told the bitch to back off I still have something to do here. And I think and I may be wrong it may just be to inspire the broken to know they can and they are more than the sum of their experiences. Well part of my trip is to find my purpose and then decide where to take that purpose.....Personally I do love hearing from people who I have touched and in return they touch me deeply with their courage and ability to do more and desire to be more.
Speaking on that note for a minuet is actually rather important. I know people out there who well have never had a life or death challenge and well we all would like to think we could rise to the occasion. I don't want anyone to have to face it but I have a feeling many would be disappointed in what they learn about themselves. When given the chance to rise there is only one option....rise to the challenge. keep that in mind.
There is the third reason for my trip. It is a challenge. It is a challenge most don't even think I will try. And why is that....because well they wouldn't and they can not even grasp why someone would even try to look some just think if you can't win why try. Me and my fellow Iron heart friends have a saying It is not about where I place it is just about the race.....it is part of the journey. I don't know how much of it I will be able to complete I don't know how difficult it will be but I do know I am going to do my very best consequences be damned.....because really you all can play it safe for me I want to see what is out there and what I am made of. My doctors call me stupid a few friends are just shaking their heads and a few are behind me a 100% because no matter what happens I live I die I at least played the game and that is a big part of going.
The fourth reason is really cut and dry. Ironheart foundation and its members taught me that I am not alone in my health struggles. I met people who I have a bond with that few will understand. I hope you never understand actually. I want to do all I can to support this group, spread the word that just because someone is broken doesn't mean beaten or worthless. I want to be a part of something greater than myself....so the fourth reason for my trip is it will be a fundraiser for IronHeart Foundation.
The Fifth reason for the trip is to be a better me when it is all done. I want to be a better father a better friend and well a better mate to the right person. And I don't want to ever feel like I am not good enough again. That is all I have to say about that.
The Sixth reason for my trip is well I want to see things and I want to know what it is actually like to do some of the things I will be doing. While I have driven cross-country a few times I never really stopped to enjoy it. Kind of like life. So this time I will be enjoying it.
Some of the things I will be doing include: Actually meeting some of the people on my FB page for the very first time. I figure if I call you a friend shouldn't we meet and actually become friends....besides I love meeting people. I have stops in Mobile Alabama and I will be spending the day walking the path of Dr. Martin Luther Kings epic march....just because we should not forget. Another stop I have planned is one of the largest campgrounds in Texas. A common stop for the CC rv folk. The reason for this stop is well nightly about 300 to 500 residents participate (mandatory for staying) in a hootanany/sing along.....I mean how cool is that. Again more stops with friends and well a stop at one of the prettiest and most forgotten of all of our national forests a place called falling water...with hundreds of natural waterfalls...I just want to lay in the water of a waterfall that is off the beaten path and breath. Well a few other stops are going to be area 51 roswel new mexico and meteor crater. Why because come on I can and it is aliens.... One of the biggest stops for me is going to be the grand canyon I am actually going 400 miles out of my way to go their. I have stopped their once before and well I become awestruck by the sheer size and exactly how small and insignificant I am in the grand scheme....helps keep me humble which i need help with. Just about at this time is when I think the answers will come to me about my soul, my purpose, forgiving others and letting go while I am ridding through the desert. I may just get off my bike and run naked in the sand lol....just kidding but really It is a level of freedom I can only hope to achieve...You see some talk about being free but controlled by their ego I want it all gone....I do have many more stops but you will just have to tune in for those.
I will be posting a link her to the map of my trip and roughly figure my timeline is 50 miles per day and 54 days of travel if you see a spot or have any suggestions of what I can do to enhance the journey I am open to it....just be ready to see something amazing happen....thank you as always and take care...
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sarasota,+FL/San+Diego,+CA/@34.6492331,-111.6106244,9z/data=!4m8!4m7!1m2!1m1!1s0x88c337e69db2c22b:0xe335341d1d5715d9!1m2!1m1!1s0x80d9530fad921e4b:0xd3a21fdfd15df79!3e1
