I woke from my short nap feeling somewhat refreshed, bot by the nap itself as well as the oddly-soothing feeling of Fall that graced the still warm breeze. And yet Highway 15 would not allow such feelings of solace to remain in mind for long, as the heavy traffic and shoulderless roadway once more had me immersed in an unavoidable dance between fight & flight. I took a short break at the entrance to the obscenely lavish gated community of Creighton Farms (which, almost needless to say, did little to lift my spirits) and watched several vultures slowly – and somehow fittingly – circle me far overhead, before I rose almost reluctantly and headed onward down the bustling, glaring roadway. I found myself thinking aloud that “hell hath no fury like Highway 15” when I stumbled upon an actual facet thereof (Hell, that is) – and this in the form of the Gilbert’s Corner Farmer’s Market (where Highway 15 intersects with Highway 50). I limped into the gaggle of tents there, past the appropriately monikered “Ghost Pepper infused” Pit Stop BBQ, and made my way to the tent selling popcorn – thinking that here at least some water (and maybe even some kindness) might be offered. And yet it was the opposite side of humanity that was on full display instead, with every single person present – patrons & stall-owners alike – quite thoroughly (indeed quite flagrantly) ignoring my presence completely. Stood in the loosely configured line there for quite some time (right next to a woman wearing an “I am the NRA” short), thinking that kind persistence in my part would inevitably bring someone – anyone – to wake from their cold-hearted slumber and at least recognize my existence. And yet this was clearly not going to be the case, and I smiled & shrugged my shoulders, slowly retreated from the stench of brutally murdered children (“Angelic Beef” my ass!), and made my way back to the somehow more comfortable desolation of the highway. I didn’t go far before I became emotionally overwhelmed with a deep-seated sense of sadness, and pulled to a shaded driveway to sit awhile and renew my then-shattered resolve … “Are humans really this cold & callous?” I wondered aloud. “Will anything I ever do be able to reach any one of them?” It took more than few minutes for my despair to pass onward, and yet pass onward it did, and with nothing left to do but proceed, I continue along The Way …

“Harmony is our natural state of being, and so, when our energies become too stagnant or scattered or saddened, chaos is thrown into our life’s mix to stimulate a resolution thereof – a resolution that will ultimately result in more calm to enter our living and invite the greater flow of life to once more carry us along. The trick, of course, is to not let the chaos trap you or define you or bring you to despair. The trick is to simply allow its discords to create movement in the current biome of your life, so that you can more readily snap your eyes open and take back control of the wheel. So avoid losing yourself in the storm, my friends. Instead, be the calm within the same … Remember that a river flows ever onward, even though it loses a few drops at every turn.” ~ inspired by Alaric Hutchinson & Matshona Dhliwayo

Filed under: Peace Pilgrimage #02: Walking HOME (2019) by Scaughdt