Into and through the town of Little Fork, I walked onward on a now (thankfully) much-less-populated version of Highway 15. And yet even though there were far fewer residents on the roadway, my interactions with the same escalated surprisingly, first via a kind ex-military man and his wife who offered me first a ride and then money (both offerings that were humbly yet devoutly rejected – along with an explanation of said rejection and a heartfelt attestation of gratitude for the same anyway, of course), and then via Officer Fraser from the local sheriff’s office who just wanted make sure I was OK … Thereafter, as the day began to get hotter & hotter, I made my way into the small town of Rixeyville, where the local post office was closed, and yet where the local post officer was on duty anyway. He turned out to be a very kind man who opened the post office for me and gave me two bottles of ice-cold spring water for the road. Very shortly thereafter, I stopped into the town’s Ma & Pa Country Store, where the owner was as unkind and dismissive as the postmaster had been caring and respectful; almost regretfully (and quite obviously out of a sense of obligation instead of any semblance of solidarity) offering me a bottle of her home-labeled tap water for my troubles. Almost needless to say, the former gift was imbibed quite gratefully, while the contents of the latter “gift” made their way just as reverently into the Hazel River Church’s front garden fountain next door …

“Because gratitude is a primary key to Happiness, anything that undermines gratitude must undermine Happiness as well. And nothing undermines gratitude as much as hope. Indeed, there is an inverse relationship between hope and gratitude, for the more expectations you have, the less gratitude you will feel. And the same is true for prudence & Generosity – and caution & Love – and analysis & Compassion … So remember that you are a mere instrument that the Universe is using to express itself. In truth your art and your way (and your words and your gifts and even your kindness) are actually not solely your own – for they come from a divine Source and flow through you, so that they too can touch the world. As such, no matter how talented, famous or wealthy you might be or become, know that you are nothing more than a megaphone; a messenger who is amplifying a truth that is passing through you. This doesn’t mean you must not celebrate your life or strive to share your tale more effectively. Surely, you may do so! And yet do so being fully aware that without the Source choosing you, without ‘your’ art & way flowing through you, there would be no acclaim, no recognition, and no success. So, stay humble – stay grateful – stay productive – and stay kind!” ~ inspired by Dennis Prager & Avis Viswanathan

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